Outrage at ex-Israeli commander’s remarks about Gaza attack that killed Zomi Frankcom

Remarks made by the Israeli commander who ordered a drone strike on an aid convoy in Gaza, killing Australian woman Zomi Frankcom, have been described as “utterly disgraceful” by Acting Prime Minister Penny Wong.

Ms Frankcom and six of her World Central Kitchen colleagues were killed in April 2024 by an Israeli drone strike while attempting to deliver aid to Palestinians displaced by Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

Colonel Nochi Mendel, the officer responsible for ordering the strike, was stood down from his position after what the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) described as a series of failures on the day, including violating its rules of engagement.

This week, the ABC published a report – based on remarks Colonel Mendel provided via a translator in October – in which he claimed the IDF had no intention to target aid workers.

But the former military leader said he was “not sorry for what (he) did”.

“Of course we didn’t intend to kill anyone from the WCK; their connection with Hamas was a deviation from the plan,” he said.

Colonel Mendel claimed, after the attack, he later became aware of what he described as “ties” between WCK and Hamas, claiming the charity was not “really a neutral organisation”.

This was vehemently refuted by WCK founder Jose Andres who, in a video posted to social media, insisted there was “never an excuse for killing” aid workers.

“He said we are not a neutral organisation. Really? Let me be very clear to him and to the whole world: We are humanitarians,” Mr Andres said.

On Monday, Senator Wong branded Colonel Mendel’s comments as “utterly disgraceful”.

“I don’t even want to go into some of the detail of them because I don’t want to give them any credence,” she told ABC News Breakfast.

“They were not only disgraceful but extremely distressing for Mal Frankcom and Zomi’s family, as well as all of those who knew and loved her and worked with her.

“Second, we do want to see full accountability for the deaths of Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues.

“They were humanitarian workers, working to deliver aid, and they are protected under the Geneva Conventions.