There’s rarely accountability for the deaths of aid workers. It’s time that changed – and Australia can help

We are now told by the same IDF [Israeli Defense Force] that there is no wrongdoing worth referring to a criminal investigation.

As a family, we do not believe this to be accurate, and we continue to call for an independent investigation.

In their statement, the family of Zomi Frankcom, the Australian aid worker who was killed in Gaza in an Israeli air strike in 2024, expressed their deep disappointment.

They were referring to the news the IDF would not pursue criminal proceedings for the deadly strike that killed Frankcom and six other World Central Kitchen aid workers.

The Australian government has expressed “ outrage ” and is considering its next steps.

Australia now has a chance to act.

While Palestine is the most dangerous place in the world to be an aid worker, it’s also far from the only place where aid workers have been targeted.

All deserve better protection.

Unless countries and international organisations find ways to hold perpetrators to account for the deaths of aid workers, less help will reach those in dire need of it.

Aid at risk Record levels of armed conflict have increased risks for all civilians, including those who run towards danger to help.

Aerial bombardment and drones are transforming war and increasingly responsible for civilian and aid worker deaths.

More than 1,000 aid workers have been killed over the past three years, with 2024 the deadliest on record.

In Gaza alone, more than 400 United Nations personnel have been killed since October 2023.

Aid workers have been reluctant to bring attention to escalating attacks due to a fear of losing access to conflict zones and diverting attention from civilian populations in need.