UK, Canada, Australia condemn Israel for refusing probe into Gaza aid worker killings

The United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia have strongly condemned Israel's recent decision not to open a criminal investigation into the 2024 killing of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers in Gaza. Israel's military announced on August 19, 2026, that it would not pursue criminal charges, citing no reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct. The three nations issued a joint statement calling the decision "shameful" and asserting that the victims and their families deserve justice and accountability. The WCK convoy attack resulted in the deaths of nationals from Australia, the UK, and a dual Canadian-US citizen. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed outrage and summoned Israel's ambassador to convey her government's concerns.

This condemnation comes amidst escalating tensions in the West Bank, where violent Israeli settler attacks in areas under Palestinian Authority governance (Areas A and B) have reportedly doubled since 2025. Human rights organizations indicate that a significant number of settler violence incidents in 2026 have occurred in these areas, marking a shift from previously concentrated attacks in Israeli-controlled Area C. These actions are contributing to the forced displacement of Palestinian communities and have led to a substantial increase in casualties, with 76 Palestinians, including 18 children, killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers as of August 10, 2026. The UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process warned in August 2026 that the West Bank is "at the breaking point" due to these ongoing developments.