Canada, UK, and Australia condemn Israel for closing WCK aid worker investigation

Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia have issued a joint statement condemning Israel's decision to close its criminal investigation into the April 1, 2024, drone strikes that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers. The humanitarian convoy, which was transporting supplies sent from Cyprus to Gaza via the Amalthea corridor, was hit by three consecutive airstrikes. The victims included citizens from the UK, Australia, and a dual Canada-United States national.

In August 2026, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced they would not pursue criminal charges, citing a lack of reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct. The three nations expressed deep frustration, describing the timing of the decision on World Humanitarian Day as egregious. They noted that Israel previously acknowledged the incident as a serious failure and a mistake. Despite two years of diplomatic pressure, the IDF has maintained that disciplinary actions taken against personnel shortly after the event were sufficient.

Israel’s foreign ministry defended the move, stating the decision was made by independent military prosecutors based on strict legal thresholds. The ministry emphasized its commitment to international law and stated that an internal review had already identified operational failures, leading to command and disciplinary measures against those involved at the time.