Australia Appoints Advisors To Monitor Israeli Attack Investigations Against WCK Aid Convoys

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. (Wikimedia Commons/ANU TV/Staft Staff. Total Spessa)

JAKARTA - Australia has appointed an adviser to monitor Israel's investigation regarding the airstrikes that killed Australian national Zomi Frankcom and six colleagues from World Central Kitchen (WCK) last week.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Monday retired Air Force Commander Marshall Mark Binskin would occupy the position.

Foreign Minister Wong said Binskin "will engage with Israel and the Israeli Defense Forces in response to the attack."

"Special advisors will advise the Australian Government regarding the representation or further action it can take, to ensure a full and transparent investigation and hold those responsible," the statement said.

Foreign Minister Wong reiterated that Australia had underlined that it expected "full responsibility" for the deaths of the aid workers.

"The appointment of ACM Binskin will ensure the family of Zomi Frankcom and the Australian people can believe this process," the statement said.

It is known that Israeli airstrikes on April 1 killed an Australian woman described by her family as " kind, selfish and extraordinary" along with a US-Canadian dual national, a Palestinian, three British and a Polish.

The Israeli military fired two senior officers and rebuked a high-ranking commander for admitting the attack was "a major mistake stemming from a serious failure due to misidentification."

Those who agreed to the attack thought they were targeting Hamas armed militants, according to an initial investigation report of the incident.

Meanwhile, non-profit World Central Kitchen has called for an "independent third-party investigation" regarding the attack.