Israel has determined that its military did not commit a criminal offense in the incident where a Canadian and six other aid workers were killed in Gaza two years ago. The military prosecutor of Israel stated that they have opted not to pursue a criminal probe into the April 2024 airstrikes in Gaza that targeted a convoy of World Central Kitchen vehicles, resulting in casualties including a Canadian military veteran, a Palestinian, and aid workers from the UK, Australia, and the US.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand expressed strong disapproval of the decision, labeling it as “unacceptable.” She highlighted significant flaws in the airstrike and criticized the closure of the case without further accountability, leaving the families of the victims without answers. Anand emphasized the necessity of protecting humanitarian workers in conflict zones and reiterated Canada’s stance on upholding international humanitarian law and seeking justice for the deceased workers and their families.
World Central Kitchen, known for food distribution in Gaza, disclosed that they had coordinated the movement of the convoy with the military. The vehicles, prominently marked with the organization’s logo on their roofs, were severely damaged in the attack.
In response to the military statement that individuals in the vehicles were mistakenly identified as armed Hamas operatives, World Central Kitchen refuted the military’s account, calling for an independent investigation and accusing the military of inaccuracies and shifting blame.
The decision sparked outrage in Australia, leading the foreign minister to summon the Israeli ambassador. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticized the removal and reprimand of officers as insufficient accountability for the death of an Australian aid worker. She termed the decision as “especially insulting” due to its timing on World Humanitarian Day.
The Israeli military also announced the dismissal of criminal action regarding the deaths of four Doctors Without Borders staff in separate incidents. Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously urged for an independent investigation into the killings of World Central Kitchen workers, rejecting the notion that collateral deaths are acceptable during wartime.
Prior to the official statement by Anand, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East expressed concerns over the silence of Prime Minister Mark Carney on the matter, suggesting it could allow Israel to evade accountability for the death of a Canadian aid worker.
