Israel drops probe into World Central Kitchen strike — UK, Australia, Canada call it 'shameful'

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The U.K., Australia and Canada on Friday called Israel’s decision not to pursue a criminal investigation into the deadly 2024 strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy “shameful.”

The three governments said in a joint statement that “announcing this decision on World Humanitarian Day was particularly egregious,” adding that they had spent more than two years pressing Israel to examine the attack and hold those responsible to account.

“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,” they added.

Warsaw escalated the diplomatic pressure Thursday night by summoning Israel’s ambassador. Polish aid worker Damian Soból was among the seven people killed in the strike.

Poland’s foreign ministry said in a post on X that it “does not accept the perpetrators’ evasion of legal and moral responsibility” and stressed that prosecutors in Przemyśl are still looking into the matter. Warsaw also demanded Israel provide “all necessary clarifications and materials” requested by Polish investigators.

Israeli drones struck the World Central Kitchen convoy as it delivered food to civilians in Gaza, killing three Britons, an Australian, Soból, a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen and a Palestinian on April 1, 2024. The Israel Defense Forces described the attack at the time as a serious mistake and failure and pledged a thorough probe.

Closing the case this week, the IDF said it determined “no reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct that would justify the opening of a criminal investigation or the taking of additional measures against any of those involved in the incident.”

“Partnership requires mutual respect,” Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski wrote on X Thursday evening, warning that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and lack of accountability for the IDF’s “excessive use of force” were undermining public support “even in pro-Israel nations.”