Australia warns aid workers under threat in Lebanon after new Israeli attack, two years on from Zomi Frankcom’s death

Humanitarian organisations have warned aid workers could be under threat following Israel’s unprecedented attack on Lebanon – only two years after Australian Zomi Frankcom was killed in an air strike in Gaza. Israel struck more than 100 targets across its northern border on Wednesday, despite a joint two-week ceasefire aimed at ending hostilities. Lebanon’s Civil Defence said at least 254 people were killed and 1165 wounded in the attack, which Israel claimed fell outside of the ceasefire as it seeks to route out Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israeli forces have invaded swathes of south Lebanon and carried out air strikes, including on the capital Beirut, since Hezbollah entered the war on the side of Iran. More than 1500 people have been killed in Lebanon and more than one million internally displaced since the conflict began. The escalation comes a week after Israel’s ambassador in Australia was pressed over the killing of World Central Kitchen aid worker Zomi Frankcom. Ms Frankcom, an Australian, was killed in an Israeli air strike while delivering aid in Gaza in April 2024. Despite a probe by Australia and Israel, no one has been charged over her death. Amnesty International Australia Strategic Campaigner Andrew Witheford warned Israel’s new hostilities in Lebanon, which come amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, are “more of the same”. He accused Israel of not paying “adequate regard to international humanitarian law”. “Despite the protestations of the Israeli military on this, it’s fairly clear that the targeting (in Gaza) is at least indiscriminate, if not something more sinister,” Mr Witheford said. “This, again, is happening in Lebanon in the way things are conducted, (which) are essentially unacceptable. “It’s not just a civilian toll, but it’s a significant toll on health workers and journalists and other civilians that have a particular role in the conflict that’s important to mitigating human suffering – and, they’re also being targeted.” Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong led a joint statement on Wednesday night calling for protection for aid workers in Lebanon. It was jointly signed by Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Sierra Leone, and the United Kingdom. Speaking at Parliament House on Thursday morning, Senator Wong recalled the killing of Ms Frankcom and the subsequent Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, which aims to limit the impacts of armed conflict. “It is very important, even in times of conflict, that the international community continue to assert the rules that countries of the world have agreed apply to war, and that means protecting humanitarian personnel, those aid workers, those medics, who go into conflict zones at risk of their own lives, need to be protected,” she said. Australian Council For International Development CEO Matthew Maury said he was “encouraged” by Senator Wong’s leadership. “ACFID has continued its longstanding position that the protection of aid workers is not optional – it is a binding obligation under international humanitarian law,” he said. “We echo the Foreign Minister’s statement this morning that accountability is essential where these obligations are breached, including in Lebanon and everywhere fighting is happening.” As violence escalated, the ability for aid organisations in Lebanon to reach people was becoming even more critical, Mr Maury warned. “When aid workers are attacked, impeded or forced to suspend operations, it is civilians who ultimately pay the price,” he said. “Protecting humanitarian personnel, and ensuring timely information‑sharing to mitigate risk, is fundamental to maintaining humanitarian access.”