Australian Foreign Minister Wong Yin Yin was harshly critical of Israel’s initial response.
Sydney:
Australia on Monday tasked a former military chief with overseeing an Israeli investigation into the deaths of seven aid workers in Gaza, seeking “full accountability” for the killings.
Australian national Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom was one of the World Central Kitchen volunteers killed in an Israeli airstrike last week.
The Israeli military said it had fired two officers following the incident, but its attempts to explain did little to quell international outrage.
Australian Foreign Minister Wong Yin Yin was harshly critical of Israel’s initial response.
On Monday, she appointed retired IDF chief of staff Mark Binskin as a special adviser to work with the Israeli military on the ongoing investigation.
“Australia has made clear to the Israeli government that we expect and believe that this engagement will be facilitated,” she said.
“The Australian Government has been clear that we expect full responsibility for these deaths.”
Huang said Binskin, a highly respected senior military officer and leader of the Australian Air Force, would review “the steps taken to hold those responsible accountable”.
She added that he would also advise the Australian government on whether further investigations or consequences were needed.
World Central Kitchen USA, founded by Spanish-American celebrity chef José Andrés, said a “targeted attack” by Israeli forces killed seven aid workers.
The group includes Frankcom, a 43-year-old Australian citizen, as well as British, Palestinian, Polish and American-Canadian employees.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later admitted that his troops “unintentionally” killed the volunteers.
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