SYDNEY: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday said Israel’s explanation for the death of the aid workers last week is unacceptable.
He made the remarks as Australia appointed a senior former military official to evaluate Israel’s inquiry report into the incident.
Israel on Friday its soldiers mistakenly targeted World Central Kitchen staff believing them to be Hamas members. An Australian citizen was also among those killed. Israel has already dismissed two officers and reprimanded others after the attack.
Albanese said the clarification for the deaths was not sufficient. He also said almost 200 aid workers had been killed during war and Israel also required to provide more details about what it would do to stop similar events in the future.
During an interview he said Australia needs proper accountability and full transparency about the circumstances of the incident.
On Monday, Australia appointed a retired Air Force general to study Israel’s inquiry report and advise Canberra whether the investigation was fair and transparent.
Foreign Minister of Australia Penny Wong last month said that Benjamin Netanyahu was undermining his nation’s global standing with his policy towards Gaza war.
She has appointed a retired defense force chief Mark Binskin as a special adviser to work with Israel’s army in the investigations.
She said the Australian government expects full accountability for the deaths of aid workers. She added that the adviser would also suggest the Australian government on whether further investigations or consequences were required.
US-based World Central Kitchen said an attack by Israeli forces had killed seven workers of the organization.
Those killed in the attack included Australian citizen Frankcom and British, Palestinian, Polish and US-Canadian workers.
