An Australian woman has been killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, alongside several other aid workers
Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom was working for aid organisation ‘World Central Kitchen’ in Gaza.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) “unintentionally harmed non-combatants” and said his government will investigate.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he expressed “anger and concern” during a phone call with Netanyahu.
Aid group
The World Central Kitchen said the IDF airstrike killed aid workers who were Australian, Polish, British, American-Canadian, and Palestinian.
The charity has since paused operations in Gaza, alongside several other aid groups.
In a statement, the charity’s CEO Erin Gore said: “I am heartbroken and appalled that we – World Central Kitchen and the world – lost beautiful lives today because of a targeted attack by the IDF”.
Israeli response
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Unfortunately, in the past day there was a tragic event in which our forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants in the Gaza Strip. This happens in war. We are conducting a thorough inquiry.”
The IDF also responded, saying the strike was a “mistake that followed a misidentification at night,” and that aid work of the World Central Kitchen is critical.
Australia’s reply
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he passed on the “anger and concern” of the Australian people during a phone call with Netanyahu.
“This is someone who was volunteering overseas to provide aid through this charity. This is completely unacceptable… this is a significant loss for our nation,” Albanese said.
He added that he’s reached out to Zomi’s family to offer further government support.
