Australian woman Zomi Frankcom has been identified among a group of aid workers killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia expected full accountability for the "completely unacceptable" deaths of aid workers.
"[Ms Frankcom] was doing extraordinary work," he said at a press conference on April 2.
"She is someone who volunteered in Australia to help people during the bushfires. This is someone who was volunteering overseas to provide aid through this charity for people who are suffering tremendous deprivation in Gaza.
"We want full accountability for this, because this is a tragedy that should never have occurred."
Mr Albanese said four aid workers and a Palestinian driver were killed when their vehicle was struck.
Ms Frankcom was working as a senior manager at not-for-profit World Central Kitchen providing food to Palestinians in Gaza.
According to social media Ms Frankcom had been working for the charity since 2019, and had previously worked at Commonwealth Bank.
World Central Kitchen board member Robert Egger paid tribute to the aid workers on Facebook and said he was "sending love, sorrow, and solidarity to my brothers and sisters at World Central Kitchen".
"Viva dear, caring Zomi Frankcom and her courageous colleagues," he said.
World Central Kitchen said it was aware of reports members of its team had been killed while supporting humanitarian food delivery in Gaza.
"This is a tragedy," the charity said on X, formerly Twitter, on April 2.
"Humanitarian aid workers and civilians should NEVER be a target. EVER."
"We've called for the release of hostages and there have been far too many innocent lives, Palestinian and Israeli, lost during the Gaza-Hamas conflict."
A DFAT spokesperson earlier said it was urgently seeking to confirm the reports.
"These reports are very distressing," the spokesperson said.
"We have been clear on the need for civilian lives to be protected in this conflict. We have been very clear that we expect humanitarian workers in Gaza to have safe and unimpeded access to do their lifesaving work."
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said it was conducting a "thorough review at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of this tragic incident".
"The IDF makes extensive efforts to enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, and has been working closely with WCK (World Central Kitchen) in their vital efforts to provide food and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza."
The not-for-profit's website says the organisation provides meals in the wake of natural disasters, crises and humanitarian emergencies around the world.
World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres said he was "heartbroken" at the news.
"Today [WCK] lost several of our sisters and brothers in an IDF air strike in Gaza," he said on X.
"These are people... angels... I served alongside in Ukraine, Gaza, Turkey, Morocco, Bahamas, Indonesia."
With Australian Associated Press
