Photo: Ismael Abu Dayyah Associated Press According to the Australian document, the Israeli military confused the humanitarian convoy with a convoy of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas due to the presence, on the roof of one of the trucks, of an apparently armed security guard working for WCK.
France Media Agency in Sydney
Published at 12:19 a.m.
- Middle East
The attack that killed seven aid workers in the Gaza Strip on April 1 was the result of “serious failures” by the Israeli military, according to the Australian government’s investigation report released on Friday.
The investigation, led by former Air Force chief Mark Binskin, was ordered by Canberra after an Australian woman was killed in a series of three strikes, which also killed three Britons, an American-Canadian, a Pole and a Palestinian.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000The seven victims worked for the American organization World Central Kitchen (WCK), founded by the famous chef José Andrés. The Israeli army has acknowledged a series of errors at various levels.
The attack “was not knowingly or deliberately directed against WCK”, states the report, which recalls that the internal investigation carried out by the Israeli army concluded that a “serious error stemming from a serious failure due to poor identification, errors in decision-making and violations of the rules of engagement and standard operating procedures.”
According to the document, the Israeli military confused the humanitarian convoy with a convoy of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas due to the presence, on the roof of one of the trucks, of an apparently armed security guard working for WCK.
“In this incident, it appears that Israel Defense Forces controls failed, leading to errors in decision-making and misidentification,” the report finds.
One of the most important mistakes was not reading the movement plan previously agreed between the Israeli army and WCK.
Israel only discovered the mistake after reports began circulating on social media about an hour after the attack, the report concluded.
Aside from the litany of operational failures, Mr. Binskin’s report found that Israel’s response was “appropriate.” Two officers were quickly dismissed and three others were reprimanded, the report said.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Israel to apologize, and said her government would continue to press for full accountability, including possible criminal charges.
“The Australian government will persist until aid workers are adequately protected,” she told reporters. “The best protection for aid workers and civilians is a ceasefire,” she added.
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