Premier Albanese presses President Herzog over Australian aid worker killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday that he pressed Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a meeting in Canberra for “full accountability including any appropriate criminal charges” over the killing of an Australian aid worker by Israeli strikes in Gaza, SBS News reported.

Late aid worker Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom’s brother recently told SBS News that his grieving family was disappointed by the government’s invitation to Herzog, but expressed hope it could lead to progress in his sister’s stalled case.

Frankcom and six other aid workers were killed in an Israeli drone strike in April 2024 while working for World Central Kitchen. Their three-car convoy was targeted by Israeli drones.

“One of the issues that I have raised is Zomi and her six World Central Kitchen colleagues. These deaths were a tragedy and an outrage. We said that at the time,” Albanese told parliament.

“We have made it clear that remains the Australian government's position and we've also made clear our expectation that there be transparency about Israel's ongoing investigation into the incident,” he added.

Albanese also said Herzog indicated he would revert to Canberra regarding the matters discussed.

"We continue to press for full accountability, including any appropriate criminal charges," the Australian premier said.