TRANSCRIPT
Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom filmed herself and World Central Kitchen (WCK) colleagues preparing food in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
While Palestinians continue to mourn for loved ones killed in six months of Israeli offensives, it is the deaths of seven aid workers, including Ms Frankcom, that has prompted some of the strongest international criticism of Israel yet.
Education Minister Jason Clare is the latest member of the Albanese government to condemn Israel's response to the deaths.
Speaking to Channel 7's Sunrise program, he called for a full, independent investigation.
"It's not good enough just to say ‘shit happens', that this is war and that people are going to die in a war zone. She was an aid worker trying to help desperate and starving people. This is not a one-off, Nat. About 190 aid workers have been killed so far. 15,000 kids have been killed so far. It's obvious that Israel is not doing enough to protect the lives of innocent people."
The Albanese government has now been briefed by the Israeli military on its own investigation into the killings in an airstrike on a WCK aid convoy near Deir al-Balah on Monday.
The IDF has announced what it describes as its "independent" investigation is complete and will be made public within 24 hours.
This comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong joined other world leaders in denouncing Israel's explanation as "insufficient" and "unacceptable".
The Israeli military had earlier said the deaths were the result of a "misidentification", while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as “tragic" but one which "happens in wartime”.
Taking a tougher stance on Israel than the federal Coalition has previously, Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley told Sunrise Australians wanted more information.
"We want answers, and the Israeli government has promised that independent inquiry and those answers. It's important that we do, in fact, find out what has happened and we bring some sense of understanding to all those who are just reeling from distress at this awful, awful situation."
But aid groups, including WCK itself, say Israel should not be given responsibility for investigating war crimes allegedly perpetrated by its own military.
Mohamed Duar, Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel Spokesperson for Amnesty International, says the International Criminal Court should investigate instead.
"Full accountability can only be achieved through an International Criminal Court investigation that is specifically tasked with investigating these kinds of war crimes. Israeli forces cannot be relied up to impartially investigate and hold perpetrators of war crimes to account which is why we are calling the ICC to be responsible for this investigation."
Former Ambassador to Israel and now-Liberal Senator Dave Sharma has told SBS News he does not think the ICC would have jurisdiction.
"The killing of Zomi Frankcom and aid workers was deeply regrettable and unacceptable. I mean these are humanitarian aid workers ... You only have international tribunals stepping in where a state jurisdiction is unable or unwilling to act. Now that is not the case here."
Aid to Gaza is hanging by a thread, after several groups paused operations following the deaths of the WCK workers.
Jason Clare has reiterated the Albanese's government position, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict so that aid workers can safely carry out their work.
