Australia Appoints Adviser to Probe Investigation Into Death of Aid Worker in Gaza

This picture taken on March 28, 2024, from Israel’s southern border with the Gaza Strip shows buildings that have been destroyed by Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing battles between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists since the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. (Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images) Naveen Athrappully

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has appointed Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin to probe Israel’s response to the death of Australian Zomi Frankcom in Gaza.

The news comes one day after the six month anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel, which killed more than 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2023.

More than 250 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage by Hamas, and around 130 are either dead or have not been returned.

However, the Australian government expressed outrage in early April when Australian aid worker Ms. Frankcom and six other foreign aid workers were killed during an Israeli air strike.

The Australian government said Air Chief Marshal Binskin will engage with Israel and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on the response to the “attack which killed Zomi and her colleagues.”

“Australia has made clear to the Israeli government our expectation and trust that this engagement will be facilitated,” Ms. Wong said.

“The Special Adviser will provide advice to the Australian government regarding any further representations or actions that could be taken to ensure a full and transparent investigation and to hold those responsible to account.”

Mr. Binskin was the chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) from 2014 to 2018 and previously served as vice chief of the ADF.

Ms. Wong said the Australian government has been clear it expects “full accountability for these deaths.”

“The appointment of ACM Binskin will ensure the family of Zomi Frankcom, and the Australian people can have confidence in this process,” Ms. Wong said.

Ms. Frankcom has been described as a “kind, selfless, and outstanding human being” by her family.

The special adviser will examine IDF policies and procedures for operational incidents, and measures taken to hold those responsible to account and prevent similar incidents taking place again.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated the air strike in Gaza was “unintentional” and said his government would commit to an investigation.

Mr. Netanyahu has also committed to making sure that humanitarian aid can reach civilians in Gaza.

PM Not Satisfied Yet with Israel Investigation

However, Mr. Albanese told ABC News Radio on April 8 the government is not yet satisfied with the investigation.

He explained the Australian government has made it clear that “these deaths are utterly inexcusable” and action has to be taken to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“We also want full accountability for these deaths. Now, the information that Israel has provided so far on its investigation hasn’t yet satisfied our expectations,” Mr. Albanese said.

“So, we would expect that Mr. Binskin will be able to work in a way that provides greater information to Australia.”

Mr. Albanese said the Australian government wants to ensure that all of the evidence is “preserved.”

“We want to ensure that if the investigation finds that the Israeli Defence Force personnel have not acted in accordance with the law, then appropriate action should be taken and such action should be made public,” Mr. Albanese said.

The prime minister said Mr. Binskin will have the confidence of the Australian government to engage, adding the government expected the “full cooperation of the Israeli government with this investigation.”

“We want him to, obviously it is a difficult circumstance given the conflict that is ongoing in Gaza, but we want him to have full access and we expect that from the Israeli Government and the Israeli Defence Force,” Mr. Albanese said.

‘Unlike Hamas, Israel Does Have Processes’: Opposition

Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham supports a full investigation into the Israeli strike and expects Israel to be “completely transparent.“

However, he noted unlike Hamas, Israel does have processes to investigate.

He told ABC Insiders on April 7 that the death of Zomi Frankcom was obviously a tragedy, along with the death of her colleagues working for this humanitarian organisation.

“Its a tragedy in a sea of tragedies that dates all the way back through to Oct. 7, when of course we saw another Australian, Galit Carbone, also killed, at the hands though of Hamas who instigated the cycle of violence that has been occurring since Oct. 7 through their barbaric terrorist actions,” Mr. Birmingham said.

“Unlike Hamas, Israel does have processes, and they have been stepping through those processes of investigation.

“They’re not complete yet. Interim findings have been made and provided. But we want to see that there is clear action taken in terms of understanding how this tragedy occurred. Importantly, how it will be prevented from occurring in the future.”

Netanyahu Committed To Ensuring Humanitarian Aid Reaches Gaza

On April 3, Israeli Prime Minister Mr. Netanyahu said Israel deeply regretted the tragic incident that claimed the lives of seven humanitarian aid workers.

“Our hearts go out to their families and to their home countries. The IDF is conducting a swift and transparent investigation and we will make our findings public,” Mr. Netanyahu said.

The Israeli prime minister said Israel was committed to making sure humanitarian aid reaches the civilian population in Gaza.