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AAP
AAP
Rachael Ward

Brother of aid worker killed in Gaza calls for action

Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom died after the Israeli Defence Force launched strikes in April. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

The brother of an Australian aid worker killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza is pushing for further action to be taken over her death.

Zomi Frankcom and six other World Central Kitchen workers died after the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) launched strikes as they delivered food at night in early April.

Two officers were dismissed from the force and three others have been reprimanded, however Mal Frankcom called for further action to be taken.

"I don't think killing seven innocent people and then being dismissed from your job is sufficient," Mr Frankcom told ABC's 7.30 program.

"To see them go to court and to be tried and convicted and punished (would be sufficient).

"I would be disappointed if it was left just at their dismissal and then that's it."

An IDF report into the incident said solders had mishandled critical information and the strike on the aid vehicle was a "grave mistake".

"The incident should not have occurred," a statement from the IDF in early April said.

"Those who approved the strike were convinced that they were targeting armed Hamas operatives and not (World Central Kitchen) employees."

Former Australian Defence Force chief Mark Binskin oversaw a report into her death and found it was "not deliberately directed" and that serious errors - exacerbated by confirmation bias - had led Israel to launch the strike.

The Israeli embassy has accused Australia of making crucial omissions and misrepresentations in that report.

Intergenerational conflicts in the Middle East region involving Palestinians and Israelis escalated on October 7, 2023.

Hamas, designated a terrorist organisation by the Australian government, launched an assault that killed 1200 people with more than 200 taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

Israel then launched a bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza that has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to data cited by the United Nations provided by the local ministry of health.

The United Nations says at least 283 aid workers had died in Gaza as of July 2024.

Mr Frankcom said it would take time to get used to his sister's death and that he would tell his children their aunt was an inspiration, brave and courageous.

"She loved fiercely and never took no for an answer," Mr Frankcom said.

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