Poland summons Israeli ambassador over discontinued investigation into killing of Gaza aid workers

WARSAW, Aug. 21 (YPA) –  Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday expressed disappointment over Israel’s decision to close its investigation into the targeting of a World Central Kitchen (WCK) volunteer convoy in the Gaza Strip on April 1, 2024, which killed seven foreign aid workers, including Polish national Damian Soból, as well as Palestinian workers affiliated with the organization.

Soból was killed on April 1, 2024, alongside six other aid workers when an Israeli airstrike hit a World Central Kitchen convoy.

In a statement, the ministry said it had summoned the Israeli ambassador to Warsaw and conveyed its condemnation and rejection of the measures taken so far, while demanding clarification of the causes and circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

The ministry noted that the case is also being investigated by the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in the Polish city of Przemyśl, Soból’s hometown. It said Poland expects Israel to provide the relevant Polish authorities with all explanations and materials requested by Polish investigators.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced Wednesday that it had concluded its review of the incident, determining there were insufficient grounds for criminal proceedings against those responsible. Officials justified the decision by citing a lack of “criminal intent,” despite the deaths of seven relief workers, including a Polish national.

Warsaw stressed that the circumstances surrounding the 2024 tragedy must be fully clarified and said it would not accept attempts by those responsible to evade their legal and moral accountability.

@E.Y.M