\n Seven aid workers were killed in the April 2024 Israeli drone strike in central Gaza [Ali Jadallah\/Anadolu via Getty Images]<\/p>\n
The Israeli commander who authorised a drone strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen<\/a> (WCK) aid workers in Gaza has said he is \u201cnot sorry\u201d for his actions, as Israel faces renewed criticism for closing its investigation without bringing criminal charges.<\/p>\n Former colonel Nochi Mendel, who was dismissed after the April 2024 attack, told Australia\u2019s ABC News\u00a0on Thursday that he had ordered the attack and accepted responsibility, while claiming he did not intend to kill the aid workers.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m the commander, and I\u2019m the one who gave the order to carry out the operation,” Mendel said in an interview recorded in October 2025. “I didn\u2019t run away from the situation. I said I gave the order; don\u2019t look for anyone else.”<\/p>\n Asked about the outcome, he added: “I\u2019m not sorry for what I did.”<\/p>\n The comments came after the Israeli military announced on 19 August that it would not pursue criminal investigations or further action against those involved in the strike on the WCK convoy.<\/p>\n Three Israeli drone strikes hit the WCK convoy<\/a> in central Gaza on 1 April 2024, killing seven aid workers who had been delivering food to Palestinians.<\/p>\n The convoy had left a warehouse in Deir al-Balah after unloading aid brought into Gaza by sea. It consisted of three vehicles travelling on a route coordinated with the Israeli military.<\/p>\n Those killed were Palestinian worker Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha; Australian aid worker Lalzawmi \u201cZomi\u201d Frankcom; Polish national Damian Sobol; British nationals James Henderson, John Chapman and James Kirby; and US-Canadian dual national Jacob Flickinger.<\/p>\n The Israeli military initially described the attack as a “grave mistake” resulting from misidentification. Officials later said an object thought to be a weapon was in fact a bag. The strikes hit the three vehicles separately over about four minutes.<\/p>\n Mendel was removed as chief of staff of the Israeli army\u2019s Nahal infantry brigade following the attack. The military said he had committed failures including breaches of rules of engagement and standard procedures.<\/p>\n Mendel defends decision<\/p>\n