GAZA — Former Israel Defense Forces reserve colonel Nochi Mendel defended his order to strike a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza, stating he would do "exactly the same thing" again and claiming the aid workers were "not innocent." The comments drew condemnation from World Central Kitchen leadership and Australian officials.

Mendel stated that those killed "were not innocent because they were connected to Hamas" but did not provide evidence for this assertion. He stated he was following IDF protocol and that the humanitarians were marked as targets under a military practice of establishing guilt by association.

An IDF investigation found the attack was a grave mistake and identified specific errors made by officers, including Mendel. The investigation blamed the victims for hiring armed guards and allegedly deviating from their agreed route. Mendel was removed from his position following the IDF investigation.

Investigations by the IDF and the former head of the Australian military found no suggestion of any connection between Hamas and World Central Kitchen. An IDF investigation into the 2024 strike found no evidence of World Central Kitchen’s involvement with Hamas, stating the organization was not a ‘terrorist entity’ and that its vehicles were clearly marked with the WCK logo. Israel’s advocate general declined to press charges for the deaths, stating there was "no reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct".

World Central Kitchen humanitarian chief José Andrés condemned Mendel's statements as an "outrageous smear." Andrés stated: "Enough with the outrageous smears. Enough with excuses. Enough with the shifting of blame." He added: "From the start, we have demanded truth, truth and justice for our friends and their families."

Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong condemned Mendel's statements as "utterly disgraceful." Wong stated the Australian government was dissatisfied with Israel’s decision not to lay criminal charges and would continue to press for justice. She stated: "We do want to see full accountability for the deaths of Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues. They were humanitarian workers working to deliver aid and they are protected under the Geneva conventions."

Timeline

On April 1, 2024, Mendel ordered the attack on the World Central Kitchen convoy. On that same day, Zomi Frankcom and six colleagues from World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. Three vehicles in the World Central Kitchen convoy were attacked along Gaza’s coast road in successive drone strikes about two minutes apart.

Mendel was the chief of staff of the Nahal brigade at the time of the attack. The victims were bringing food to people in Gaza at the time of the strike. Survivors from the initial strikes ran to untouched cars seeking sanctuary before those cars were also bombed.

What's New

Colonel Mendel, who ordered the 2024 Gaza aid convoy strike, was a West Bank settler and co-signed an open letter in 2024 urging Israel to cut off aid to Gaza, according to a 2026 Guardian report. World Central Kitchen (WCK) had previously dismissed staff in December 2024 after Israel accused them of Hamas ties, though WCK denied the claims and stated the dismissals were not evidence of affiliation with terror organizations.

World Central Kitchen has provided over 600 million meals globally since its founding, including aid in conflict zones like Syria and Ukraine, according to its 2023 annual report. More than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military in the three years of the Gaza war, with the army's own internal data suggesting more than three-quarters of the dead have been civilians. Mendel referred to a general policy of 'haflala' (incrimination) which gives commanders wide discretion to designate someone as a terrorist, including those incriminated by association. Mendel stated that his unit had been commended by the army hierarchy for its involvement in several strikes on what were deemed to be Hamas's attempted commandeering of aid. Mendel is an Israeli military officer.

Why It Matters

The defense of the strike by a former commander shows ongoing tensions regarding the protection of humanitarian workers in conflict zones. World Central Kitchen has provided more than 600 million meals to people affected by natural disasters, climate emergencies and conflict around the world. The incident occurred within a broader context where more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military in the three years of the Gaza war, with the army's own internal data suggesting more than three-quarters of the dead have been civilians.

The lack of criminal charges and the commander's refusal to express regret have prompted calls for stronger international responses. Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong stated the government would continue to press for justice, while Greens defense spokesperson David Shoebridge argued that condemnation alone is insufficient. The demand for an independent investigation with public release of video and audio remains unmet, leaving questions about accountability and the application of military protocols in aid zones.