UK, Canada and Australia condemn Israel for refusing criminal probe into aid worker killings in Gaza

The World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers killed in Gaza were a British national, a Pole, an Australian, a Canadian, and a dual US-Canadian citizen. Israel's decision not to launch a criminal investigation into the strikes on a WCK convoy in Gaza in 2024, which resulted in the deaths of these seven humanitarian workers, has been condemned as "shameful" by the UK, Canada, and Australia.

The victims and their families "deserve justice and accountability," according to a joint statement by the three foreign ministries. Israel's ambassador to Australia defended the decision, claiming there was no "criminal intention" and therefore "no criminal responsibility." The foreign ministries criticized this reasoning, noting that the attack occurred on World Humanitarian Day while the world honored humanitarian workers, and that the WCK attack was only one of numerous incidents in Gaza where there has been no accountability.

The three countries urged Israel to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of humanitarian staff.