日本語
한국어
Polski
Deutsch
Nederlands
Español
Français
Português
Italiano
Svenska
繁體中文
Dansk
// DOSSIER — israeli-officer-defends-wck-strike-allies-condemn
Israeli Officer Defends WCK Strike as Allies Condemn Lack of Criminal Probe
REL_TIME: 05 Sep 2026 19:14Z · LANG: EN
Colonel Nochi Mendel, the Israeli army officer who ordered the 2024 drone strikes killing seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers in Gaza, stated in an interview that he is "not sorry" for the attack and defended his authorization despite military findings of misidentification and protocol breaches. The remarks follow the Israeli military's decision not to open a criminal investigation into the incident, drawing fierce condemnation and demands for an independent inquiry from countries including Australia, the UK, Canada, and Poland.
// Background
On April 1, 2024, Israeli drone strikes hit three clearly marked World Central Kitchen vehicles in central Gaza, killing seven humanitarian aid workers. Although the Israeli army initially acknowledged breaches of rules of engagement and standard operating procedures—resulting in the dismissal of Colonel Nochi Mendel and other commanders—military prosecutors ultimately decided against pursuing criminal charges. This decision sparked international outrage and renewed calls for independent oversight.
// Key Developments
- Colonel Nochi Mendel stated he stands by his decision to strike the WCK convoy and is "not sorry for what I did."
- The April 1, 2024, drone strikes killed seven WCK aid workers of Palestinian, British, Australian, Canadian, and Polish nationalities.
- The Israeli military decided not to pursue criminal proceedings, prompting joint condemnation from the UK, Canada, and Australia calling the move "shameful."
- World Central Kitchen rejected Mendel's allegations of Hamas ties as "false and outrageous" attempts to deflect blame.
- Poland and Australia summoned Israeli ambassadors in response to the closure of the case.
// Timeline
-
Israeli drone strikes target a WCK aid convoy in central Gaza, killing seven aid workers.
-
Colonel Nochi Mendel records an interview with Australia's ABC broadcaster defending the strike.
-
The Israeli military decides not to open a criminal investigation into the WCK attack, drawing swift international condemnation.
-
Mendel's interview remarks are broadcast publicly, reiterating that he is "not sorry" for the order.
// Perspectives
[Colonel Nochi Mendel]
Defends the military operation, expresses no remorse for the casualties, and alleges intermingling between WCK and Hamas operatives.
[World Central Kitchen (WCK)]
Denies all allegations of militant ties, calls claims outrageous and false, and demands an independent international inquiry.
[UK, Canada, Australia, and Poland]
Strongly condemns Israel's refusal to launch a criminal probe, demands accountability, and has summoned Israeli envoys.
[Israeli Military]
Concluded the attack resulted from serious failures and misidentification of a bag as a weapon, but ruled out a criminal investigation or further penalties.
// Quotes
“I’m the commander, and I’m the one who gave the order to carry out the operation. I didn’t run away from the situation. I said I gave the order; don’t look for anyone else. I’m not sorry for what I did.”
“The victims of this incident and their families deserve justice and accountability, and we will continue to seek answers on their behalf.”
“This is the latest attempt to shift blame away from the IDF's own actions. The individual making these slanderous claims has no credibility.”
