The family of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom said an Australian-government commissioned report into her killing along with six colleagues in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza was "an important first step" but hope it will be followed by further investigations in Israel.
The report by Special Adviser Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin , released on Friday, called for an apology and compensation for her family but backed the Israeli Defence Forces' (IDF) assessment of the incident as a "grave mistake" that "should not have occurred".
In his report, Binskin assessed that the IDF strike on the WCK aid workers was not knowingly or deliberately directed against the WCK.
A vehicle with the logo of the World Central Kitchen wrecked by an Israeli airstrike in Deir al Balah, Gaza. Source: AAP / Ismael Abu Dayyah
What did the report find?
The report confirmed the drone strike on the aid workers' vehicles was the result of what the IDF said were serious failures to follow procedures, mistaken identification and errors in decision-making.
Seven aid workers, including Frankcom, were killed in Gaza when their three-car convoy was targeted by the Israeli drones. The group had been helping feed hungry Palestinians in central Gaza.
Binskin said the presence of armed, locally-contracted security on the convoy was not raised with or approved in a coordination process with Israeli authorities, "which gave the appearance of the presence of Hamas".
"Further, noting the view held by Head FFAM (the head of Israel's Fact-Finding and Assessment Mechanism) and some IDF members, with the information available, I cannot rule out that WCK inadvertently contracted security for the aid convoy with an entity that had links to Hamas."
He said errors in decision-making, and a drone operator mistakenly identifying an item placed in a WCK vehicle as a gun, likely led to the death of one WCK aid worker, but he did not specify who.
Binskin added that a violation of the IDF's standard operating procedures and rules of engagement led to the deaths of the remaining six WCK and Global Solace workers.
"While the presence of armed gunmen with the WCK aid convoy did contribute to the breakdown of situational awareness, ultimately, that is why professional and disciplined militaries, such as the IDF, have multiple controls in place to mitigate the associated risks. In this incident, it appears that the IDF controls failed, leading to errors in decision making and a misidentification."
What did the report say Israel should do?
The report made a series of recommendations including that the Australian government continue to emphasise to Israel the "importance of adherence to the Law of Armed Conflict" and transparency when acting on and investigating any incidents or breaches.
Binskin also said an apology was an "important consideration" for the government of Israel to make.
Special Adviser Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin's report on the deaths of Zomi Frankcom and her World Central Kitchen colleagues was released on Friday. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
The United Nations says more than 250 aid workers have been killed since the war in Gaza began.
At least three UN vehicles have been attacked in recent weeks.
What will the Australian government do?
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia would implement all of the recommendations, including one on further calls on Israel to improve coordination and deconfliction with humanitarian organisations in Gaza.
"We are working with the UN and the international community to press Israel to reform its coordination with humanitarian organisations, to ensure the tragic deaths of Zomi Frankcom and her World Central Kitchen colleagues are not in vain and not repeated," she said in a statement.
"The Australian government will persist until proper protections for aid workers are in place. The best protection for aid workers — and civilians — is a ceasefire."
The Frankcom family issued this photo along with a statement paying tribute to Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom (bottom centre), an Australian aid worker killed delivering food in Gaza. Source: Supplied
"We will continue to press for full accountability, including any appropriate criminal charges."
How has Zomi Frankcom's family reacted?
A family spokesperson described the report as an important first step, and that they appreciated that Binskin's role had "some limitations".
"We hope it will be followed by further investigations in Israel regarding those responsible for this tragic event, followed by appropriate action."
Wong added that Frankcom's family "firmly" believed that further action, including a criminal investigation, was needed.
"They feel that the disciplinary action taken today is insufficient," she said.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton said it was a "mistake" to commission the report in the first place.
"It was a politically-based decision. The prime minister is playing politics here with this issue, domestically," Dutton told reporters.
"I think that is frankly a disgrace and I think the prime minister diminishes our standing internationally when he conducts these sorts of politically-motivated decisions."
