On Friday, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s decision to close a criminal investigation into the 2024 drone strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers in Gaza. The workers - three Britons, a dual US-Canadian national, a Pole, an Australian and a Palestinian - were killed when a drone struck their vehicle convoy while they were unloading a food aid shipment.
Israel’s military described the incident as a “tragic mistake”. In a statement on X, the Israeli foreign ministry said the decision not to launch a criminal probe was made by Israel’s independent military prosecution authorities on the basis of strict professional and legal considerations. It also extended condolences to the families of the seven aid workers.
The joint statement from the three nations said: “The announcement by the IDF on 19 August 2026 that it would not pursue criminal investigations into this strike, without further explanation, is shameful.” It added that the decision was announced on World Humanitarian Day, a day that “the world honoured the courage and sacrifice of humanitarians,” and that the timing was “particularly egregious.”
The incident, which occurred in April 2024, sparked global outrage and renewed calls for the safety of aid workers in Gaza. A preliminary investigation concluded on Wednesday that there was no “reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct.” Israel’s military acknowledged a series of errors at various levels of command but maintained that no criminal wrongdoing had been found.
The US-based World Central Kitchen condemned the decision not to launch a criminal investigation, calling it “inconsistent with the full truth and deeply offensive.” It demanded an independent commission to investigate the airstrikes, arguing that the IDF cannot credibly investigate its own conduct.
In response to the joint condemnation, Australia summoned Israel’s ambassador to Canberra. The Australian government expressed outrage at the closure of the investigation and called for a thorough and transparent inquiry into the strike.
The three countries’ joint statement underscored that “in the more than two years since, we have been pressing for Israel to swiftly and thoroughly consider the case and hold those responsible to account.” They called the closure of the probe a shameful act that undermines accountability and the safety of humanitarian personnel in conflict zones.
The incident remains a flashpoint in the broader debate over the protection of aid workers in Gaza and the conduct of the Israeli military. The call for an independent commission reflects growing international pressure for transparency and accountability in the aftermath of the strike.
The Australian government’s summoning of the Israeli ambassador signals a firm stance on the issue, while the joint statement by the UK, Canada and Australia highlights a coordinated diplomatic response to what they describe as a “shameful” decision by Israel to halt its investigation.
