Killing of Australian aid worker in Gaza tragic and preventable - Australian Council for International Development
The family of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom has received the sincere condolences of the Australian Council for International Development, which is the apex body representing aid and humanitarian organisations.
Ms. Frankcom perished in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, along with four other aid workers. Her job involved assisting the World Central Kitchen in supplying food and other necessities to the northern region of Gaza.
“It is truly tragic that an Australian aid worker, working to provide food to starving civilians, has been killed in this fashion,” said ACFID chief executive Marc Purcell.
Nothing is free like a free press. Give now to help sustain independent journalism in your community.
It's evident from recent events that there has never been a better moment to support local news. Donate now to help sustain independent reporting.
“Our deepest and sincerest condolences go out to Zomi’s family, friends and employer. She died doing truly heroic work.
“The Australian government seeks to uphold the international rule of law. The laws of war protecting humanitarian workers and civilians are being flagrantly disregarded by the Israeli Government and Defence Forces.
“Humanitarian workers in conflict zones should be ensured safety by combatants to carry out life saving responses. Time and time again during this conflict we have seen Israeli forces demonstrate disregard for the safety of humanitarian workers with tragic results, with at least 196 aid workers killed to date.
“Not only are Israeli military forces acting recklessly, they have, in fact, been using the denial of food as a weapon of war.
“We call on the Australian Government to urge the Israeli Government to cease attacks on aid convoys and to allow for the safe land passage of humanitarian assistance. Further, Australia should protest in the strongest possible terms the starvation of civilians. Starving civilians is a breach of the laws of war, international law and common decency.
“The Israeli Defence Force is blocking aid from entry into northern Gaza which means hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of starving to death. In the south, humanitarian agencies are under enormous strain as a result of airstrikes.”
Have a tip or media release?
Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.