Western Allies Condemn Israel's Decision to Drop Criminal Probe into World Central Kitchen Strike

The United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada have sharply criticized Israel's decision not to pursue a criminal investigation into the deadly strike on a World Central Kitchen aid convoy in Gaza, labeling the move as "shameful."

In a joint statement issued on Friday, the foreign ministries of the three nations urged Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law. They noted that they had spent more than two years urging Israel to hold those accountable for the drone strike in central Gaza.

"This decision is both too little, and too late. The victims of this incident and their families deserve justice and accountability, and we will continue to seek answers on their behalf," the statement declared.

The April 2024 drone strike killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, consisting of three Britons, a dual US-Canadian national, a Pole, an Australian, and a Palestinian, after they oversaw a food aid shipment.

Poland's foreign ministry expressed deep disappointment in a separate statement on Friday, announcing it had summoned Israel’s ambassador in Warsaw following the military's announcement. Australia similarly summoned Israel’s ambassador in Canberra on Thursday.

While the Israeli military termed the attack a "tragic mistake," it announced on Wednesday that it would not launch criminal investigations into the incident involving the organization founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres. The decision followed a review of 150 incidents of Israeli troop conduct during the war on Gaza, which also included the killing of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian child.

The timing of the announcement—made on August 19, World Humanitarian Day—was described by the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada as "particularly egregious" while the world honored humanitarian sacrifices.

World Central Kitchen condemned the decision as "inconsistent with the truth" and reiterated its demand for an independent investigation, asserting that the Israeli army cannot credibly investigate its own conduct. UK minister for the Middle East Stephen Doughty confirmed that his government will continue pushing for urgent answers.