The Albanese government has called on Israel to be transparent about its investigation into the death of Australian aid worker Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom in Gaza as her family and Canberra await answers two year later.
Ms Frankcom and six of her World Central Kitchen colleagues were killed in Israeli strikes on their convoy while they were delivering humanitarian aid on April 1, 2024.
An Australian review of the attack completed that year blamed a “significant breakdown in situational awareness” and “serious failures” in Israeli military practices.
Israel’s military has called it a “tragic incident” and commissioned an investigation. It has not yet released findings.
“Zomi was driven by passion and a purpose to assist people in need,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday.
“People like Zomi are rare and their selflessness should not only be celebrated but protected.
“The Albanese government has made clear our expectation that there be transparency about Israel’s ongoing investigation into the deaths of Zomi and her six World Central Kitchen colleagues.
“We continue to press for full accountability, including any appropriate criminal charges.”
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Ted O’Brien echoed Senator Wong, saying Ms Frankcom’s death “was a tragedy” and his “thoughts are with her family and friends for whom this day will be a painful reminder of their loss”.
“Like all Australians, I eagerly await the outcome of the investigation that is under way,” Mr O’Brien told NewsWire.
Fronting the National Press Club on Tuesday, Israeli ambassador Hillel Newman insisted the investigation had not “been shelved” and that he “can check why” it had not been released.
“As far as I know, it has not come to a conclusion,” he said.
“But I will check again. The issue of penalising the soldiers who were involved … is a long judicial process.”
Australia has led the charge for stronger international protections for aid workers in conflict zones and in 2025 launched the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel with the backing of eight other countries.
“The declaration is now a shared commitment by more than 110 countries – more than half the United Nations – for stronger accountability, safer access, and better protection for aid workers everywhere,” Senator Wong said in her Wednesday remarks.
“Honouring Zomi’s legacy means turning commitment into action.
“We will continue to work with international partners to drive action to protect aid workers in conflict zones.”
