The authorities of the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia have stated this Friday that they consider it "shameful" that Israel refuses to open a criminal case for the bombing in April 2024 against the humanitarian convoy of World Central Kitchen (WCK) in Gaza, in which seven aid workers died, including citizens of these three countries.
"In the more than two years that have passed since then, we have been pressing for Israel to examine the case quickly and thoroughly and hold those responsible accountable. The announcement by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on August 19, 2026, that they would not conduct criminal investigations into this attack, without providing further explanations, is shameful," they denounced in a joint statement.
The three governments have also emphasized that Israel publicly announced its refusal to investigate the attack just on the date that commemorates World Humanitarian Day, "while the world paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of humanitarian workers," something they have described as "especially atrocious."
"This decision is insufficient and comes 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, lamenting that the attack on the WCK convoy is "one of the countless" episodes attributed to the Israeli Army in the Gaza Strip for which "no accountability has been demanded."
The three countries have recalled that the Palestinian enclave "remains the deadliest place" for humanitarian personnel, who "continue to risk their lives" to assist the civilian population. Just last year, 186 aid workers were killed in the area.
Canada's Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, has condemned the Israeli decision and insisted that she "will continue to push for those responsible" for the attack in which Canadian citizen Jacob Flickinger lost his life to be brought to justice.
In a statement, Anand indicated that during the operation there were "serious failures" in the execution of the attack against the convoy of the NGO founded by Spanish chef José Andrés. "It is necessary that there is justice for the seven deceased workers and their families," she pointed out.
"Closing the case without further accountability leaves their families without the answers they have sought for more than two years. Humanitarian workers delivering food and vital aid in conflict zones must be protected," he emphasized, before stating that "Canada expects International Law to be respected."
His statements come after the Israeli Military Prosecutor's Office decided not to open a criminal case, concluding that what occurred does not constitute a prosecutable offense through this avenue.
In its own internal investigation, the security forces acknowledged, however, that several serious errors occurred that led the soldiers to mistakenly believe that a member of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) was traveling with the convoy. They also claimed that WCK did not notify the Army of the presence of armed security personnel in the caravan and that it deviated from the previously agreed route.
ISRAEL DEFENDS THAT IT HAS ALREADY TAKEN "DISCIPLINARY MEASURES"
The Israeli government responded this Friday that it has been the "independent" military fiscal authorities that have chosen not to open a criminal investigation, "based on strict professional and legal considerations."
As explained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the decision "is based on the legal threshold required to initiate a criminal investigation, which occurs when there is a reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct."
The department has also maintained that the Ministry of Defense has already adopted "important disciplinary and command measures" following an investigation that, it emphasized, was initiated "immediately" after the attack.
"Israel, deeply committed to International Law, subjects its military operations to rigorous legal scrutiny, including standards that exceed those applied by many Western armed forces in recent conflicts," Foreign Affairs assured in its response.