Family of Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom killed in Gaza airstrike supports war crimes investigation, as international outcry grows
The family of Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, an Australian aid worker tragically killed in a Gaza airstrike, is rallying for a war crimes investigation into the Israeli military’s actions. Frankcom, a Melbourne-born volunteer with the World Central Kitchen charity, was among seven international aid workers fatally struck in Central Gaza by what the Israeli Defence Forces have preliminarily attributed to a “misidentification.”
In their grief, the Frankcom family expressed their unequivocal support for an investigation to determine whether the Israeli troops involved in the deadly drone strike should face war crimes charges. “It should never have happened,” Mal Frankcom, Zomi’s brother, lamented, echoing the sentiment of their devastated family.
The airstrike claimed the lives of aid workers from various nationalities, including three British citizens, a Polish citizen, and a Canadian-American dual citizen. Their bodies were subsequently transported from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, where arrangements for their repatriation were made, reported by Egypt’s state-run Qahera TV.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has engaged directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, conveying “Australia’s anger and concern” over the tragic incident. Albanese stressed the unacceptability of such tragedies, especially involving volunteers dedicated to providing humanitarian aid. He underscored the critical need for a transparent investigation into the circumstances leading to the airstrike.
The incident has also prompted British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to face calls to halt military sales to Israel. Sunak reiterated his belief in Israel’s capacity and intention to adhere to international humanitarian law, a stance he has consistently communicated to Netanyahu. The British Prime Minister acknowledged the excessive civilian casualties in Gaza, underscoring the urgency for accountability.
US President Joe Biden expressed his outrage and sorrow over the aid workers’ deaths, criticizing Israel for not doing enough to safeguard them. The international community watches closely as demands for justice and accountability in the wake of this tragedy grow louder, casting a spotlight on the conduct of military operations in conflict zones and their profound human cost.
