In this incident, it appears that the IDF controls failed, leading to errors in decision making and a misidentification, likely compounded by a level of confirmation bias,
The Australian government will continue to press for full accountability, including any appropriate criminal charges, and we will continue to advocate the views of the Frankcom family and the Australian government to Israel,
It is important to all the families that an appropriate apology be provided to them by the government of Israel.”
The U.N. reports that more than 250 aid workers have been killed since the start of this conflict and in recent weeks, a number of U.N. vehicles have come under attack. This is not acceptable,
Gaza remains the deadliest place on earth to be an aid worker. This was not a one-off incident,
Demonstrably, that did not occur in relation to Zomi Frankcom and her World Central Kitchen colleagues,
Israel’s process to determine accountability for the World Central Kitchen strikes is not over,
Nor do they feel reassured that lessons have truly been taken from the incident and measures been put in place to reduce the chance of it happening again,
In my meeting with the MAG, I discussed the importance of providing a level of public transparency in her future decisions, not only ‘what’ she may decide in regard to each individual, but also an appropriate discussion as to ‘why’,
The IDF conducted only one airstrike on Tuesday night in Lebanon, targeting Fuad Shukr with a precise airstrike. There was no additional airstrike in the Middle East that night, nor was there any missile or UAV,
The Military Advocate General of Israel is still to decide on further action,
Based on the information available to me, it is my assessment that the IDF strike on the WCK aid workers was not knowingly or deliberately directed against the WCK,
Ms Frankcom’s family, who I have spoken to, are firmly of the view that further action is necessary, including a criminal investigation, and they feel that the disciplinary action taken today is insufficient,
This conflict has demonstrated a serious disregard for the safety of humanitarian personnel, resulting in devastating consequences … we call for consultation with humanitarian agencies as the Australian government makes further representations to the Israeli government,
We appreciate that Mr Binskin’s role had some limitations, but his report is an important first step. We hope it will be followed by further investigations in Israel regarding those responsible for this tragic event, followed by appropriate action,
All led to a significant breakdown in situation awareness, predominantly in the lower levels of the IDF’s command and control decision-making,
This is not acceptable and this is why the government is implementing all of Air Chief Marshal Binskin’s recommendations,
[This ... This] will only add to questions about whether domestic politics led to the Albanese government pursuing this unprecedented review of a foreign government’s military operations,