Australian PM Confirms Aid Worker Killed in Gaza Strike Was Australian National

Destruction in Gaza caused by Israeli airstrikes (AP)
Destruction in Gaza caused by Israeli airstrikes (AP)
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Australian PM Confirms Aid Worker Killed in Gaza Strike Was Australian National

Destruction in Gaza caused by Israeli airstrikes (AP)
Destruction in Gaza caused by Israeli airstrikes (AP)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday confirmed one of several aid workers killed in a strike on Gaza was an Australian national.

Albanese said volunteer Zomi Frankcom had been doing "extraordinarily valuable work" helping distribute food in the besieged Gaza Strip with aid outfit World Central Kitchen.

"This is completely unacceptable. Australia expects full accountability for the deaths of aid workers," Albanese said, before offering his "sincere condolences" to Frankcom's family, AFP reported.

"I didn't have the honor of knowing her," he added.

"She just wanted to help out through this charity. That says everything about the character of this young woman."

The bodies of four foreign aid workers and their Palestinian driver were brought to a hospital in the town of Deir el-Balah after an Israeli strike targeted their vehicle, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

World Central Kitchen is one of two NGOs spearheading efforts to deliver aid by boat from Cyprus.

Australia will be seeking an explanation from Israeli officials, Albanese said.

"We want full accountability for this, because this is a tragedy that should never have occurred."

The Israeli military has said it was "conducting a thorough review at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of this tragic incident".



Iran Oil Minister Visits Key Oil Terminal amid Israel Strike Fears

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad (L) welcomes Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin (R) upon his arrival at the Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, Iran, 30 September 2024. EPA/DMITRY ASTAKHOV
Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad (L) welcomes Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin (R) upon his arrival at the Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, Iran, 30 September 2024. EPA/DMITRY ASTAKHOV
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Iran Oil Minister Visits Key Oil Terminal amid Israel Strike Fears

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad (L) welcomes Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin (R) upon his arrival at the Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, Iran, 30 September 2024. EPA/DMITRY ASTAKHOV
Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad (L) welcomes Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin (R) upon his arrival at the Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, Iran, 30 September 2024. EPA/DMITRY ASTAKHOV

Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad landed on Kharg island, the oil ministry's news website Shana reported on Sunday, amid concerns that Israel could target Iran's largest oil terminal there.
An Israeli military spokesman said on Saturday that Israel would retaliate, following last week's missile attack by Tehran, "when the time is right."

Following Iran's attack, Axios cited Israeli officials as saying that Iran's oil facilities could be hit in response. US President Joe Biden said on Friday that he did not think Israel had yet concluded how to respond.

"Paknejad arrived this morning in order to visit the oil facilities and meet operational staff located on Kharg island," Shana reported, adding that the oil terminal there has the capacity to store 23 million barrels of crude.

China, which does not recognize US sanctions, is Tehran's main client and according to analysts imported 1.2 to 1.4 million barrels per day from Iran in the first half of 2024.