The UK, Australia and Canada issued a joint statement calling Israel's refusal to pursue criminal charges over the April 2024 strike on an aid convoy 'shameful'. Seven humanitarian workers from the World Central Kitchen organisation were killed in the attack.
Key facts
- The UK, Australia and Canada issued a joint statement criticising Israel's decision.
- The Israeli military said it will not pursue criminal investigations into the April 2024 strike.
- Seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers were killed in the attack.
- WCK staff from all three countries were among the casualties.
- The strike prompted global outrage when it occurred.
Britain, Australia and Canada have described as “shameful” the decision by Israeli military authorities not to open a criminal investigation into the April 2024 airstrikes that struck a convoy of aid vehicles in Gaza, according to the Guardian.
The strikes killed seven humanitarian workers from the US-based World Central Kitchen (WCK) organisation. The three countries issued a joint statement following the Israel Defense Forces’ announcement that it would not pursue criminal investigations into the incident.
According to the Guardian, WCK staff from Britain, Australia and Canada were among those killed in the attack. The BBC reported that seven World Central Kitchen workers were killed in the Israeli strike on their convoy in 2024.
The April 2024 attack prompted global outrage at the time, drawing widespread international attention to the risks faced by humanitarian workers operating in Gaza.
The joint condemnation from the three governments underscores continued diplomatic friction over the handling of the case and the question of accountability for the deaths of the aid workers.
Why it matters
The killing of humanitarian workers and the question of accountability strike at the heart of international norms protecting aid operations in conflict zones. The joint criticism from three close allies of Israel signals growing diplomatic pressure over how the incident has been handled.
Frequently asked questions
How many aid workers were killed in the attack?
Seven humanitarian workers from the World Central Kitchen organisation were killed in the April 2024 strike on their convoy in Gaza.
Why are the UK, Australia and Canada criticising Israel?
The three countries called Israel's decision not to open a criminal investigation into the airstrikes 'shameful' in a joint statement, according to the Guardian.
When did the strike occur?
The airstrikes on the aid convoy took place in April 2024.