Israel has determined that its military did not commit a criminal offense when it carried out airstrikes in Gaza in April 2024 that resulted in the deaths of a Canadian citizen and six other aid workers. The military prosecutor of Israel announced the decision not to pursue a criminal investigation into the incident, which targeted a convoy of World Central Kitchen vehicles. Among the casualties were Jacob Flickinger, a military veteran from Quebec, a Palestinian individual, and aid workers from the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States.
In response to this decision, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand expressed strong disapproval, labeling it as “unacceptable.” She emphasized the need for accountability, citing significant shortcomings in the airstrike and the importance of protecting humanitarian workers in conflict zones. Anand reiterated Canada’s stance on upholding international humanitarian law and vowed to continue advocating for a thorough examination of the events that transpired, seeking justice for the victims and their families.
World Central Kitchen, an organization involved in food distribution in Gaza, refuted the military’s account of the incident, asserting that the details provided were inaccurate and urged for an independent investigation to be conducted.
Australia also reacted strongly to the Israeli military’s decision, with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong summoning the Israeli ambassador in response. Wong criticized the lack of appropriate accountability for the death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom, despite acknowledgments from the Israel Defense Forces regarding procedural failures and errors in decision-making leading to the airstrike.
The timing of the decision was particularly condemned, as it coincided with World Humanitarian Day. The Australian government expressed its disappointment and stated that further actions would be considered in response to the outcome of the investigation. The Israeli military’s announcement also included the decision not to pursue criminal action in similar instances involving the deaths of four Doctors Without Borders staffers in separate incidents.
In the aftermath of the tragedy that befell the World Central Kitchen workers in 2024, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for an independent and transparent investigation beyond the Israeli military’s internal review. Trudeau emphasized the need for accountability and rejected any notion that collateral deaths should be normalized in conflict situations. The call for justice and a thorough investigation was echoed by various organizations and individuals, emphasizing the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions.