Joint statement from the foreign ministries of Australia, Canada
and the United Kingdom on Israel closing the investigation into
strikes on the World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza on 1 April
2024.
On 1 April 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired on a World
Central Kitchen convoy as it was delivering food to civilians in
Gaza. Drone strikes killed seven humanitarian workers, including
from the United Kingdom, Australia and a dual Canada-US
national.
At the time, the IDF described this incident as a serious mistake
and failure. In the more than two years since, we have been
pressing for Israel to swiftly and thoroughly consider the case
and hold those responsible to account. The announcement by the
IDF on 19 August 2026 that it would not pursue criminal
investigations into this strike, without further explanation, is
shameful. Announcing this decision on World Humanitarian Day,
while the world honoured the courage and sacrifice of
humanitarians, was particularly egregious. 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 World Central Kitchen attack is one of countless incidents in
Gaza where there has been no accountability. In Gaza,
humanitarian workers continue to work tirelessly to support
civilians in desperate need, risking their lives whilst working
in the most perilous conditions. Yet despite the fragile
ceasefire, Gaza remains the deadliest place to deliver aid, with
186 humanitarian workers killed in 2025. Israel must comply with
its obligations under international humanitarian law, and must do
more to ensure that humanitarian staff can carry out their work
safely. Lessons must be learnt from this tragedy.
