Polish Foreign Ministry Summons Israeli Ambassador Over Dropped Case of Killed Aid Worker
Poland summoned the Israeli ambassador after military authorities closed the investigation into the Gaza strike that killed Polish aid worker Damian Sob贸l alongside six other volunteers. Israeli...
Poland summoned the Israeli ambassador after military authorities closed the investigation into the Gaza strike that killed Polish aid worker Damian Sob贸l alongside six other volunteers.
Table Of Content
Israeli Military Closes Investigation
The strike occurred on April 1, 2024, in the Gaza Strip, killing seven humanitarian volunteers from World Central Kitchen, including Polish citizen Damian Sob贸l, alongside citizens of the UK, Australia, Palestine, and a dual US-Canadian national. On Wednesday, August 19, the Israeli prosecution announced the discontinuation of proceedings in the case.
Polish Foreign Ministry Issues Critical Response
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep disappointment on Thursday regarding the decision by Israeli military authorities to close the investigation into the convoy strike. Consequently, the Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador in Warsaw to convey a critical assessment of the measures taken to clarify the tragedy.
Calls for Full Accountability and Compensation
The Foreign Ministry emphasized that the circumstances of the 2024 tragedy must be fully clarified, rejecting any evasion of legal and moral responsibility by the perpetrators while asserting that adequate compensation is owed to the families.
Rados艂aw Sikorski on Partnership and Mutual Respect
Foreign Minister Rados艂aw Sikorski stated on social media that partnership requires mutual respect, adding that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the lack of accountability for the excessive use of force by the Israel Defense Forces undermine public support even in pro-Israeli nations.
Conflicting Accounts from the IDF and World Central Kitchen
The Israel Defense Forces stated that soldiers misidentified an armed guard traveling with the aid convoy as a Hamas operative due to serious operational errors, claiming they were not notified of the guard and failed to contact World Central Kitchen representatives. In contrast, World Central Kitchen called the Israeli account false and deeply offensive, maintaining that the convoy was clearly marked, unarmed, and that its movements were coordinated in advance.
Ongoing Domestic Investigation in Poland
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Przemy艣l is conducting a parallel investigation into the death of Damian Sob贸l, which was extended until October 2, while Polish investigators await responses from Israel and the United States regarding international legal assistance requests.
