An IDF strike killed seven aid workers, including Australian Zomi Frankcom in 2024. (Supplied)
World Central Kitchen's chief José Andrés has hit back at an Israeli commander who defended the decision to strike a convoy that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom.
He released the video after an ABC interview with Israeli colonel Nochi Mendel, who ordered the 2024 drone strike that killed Ms Frankcom and six of her colleagues in Gaza.
The WCK chief has also renewed calls for an independent investigation into the April 2024 attack.
World Central Kitchen has hit back at an Israeli commander who defended the decision to strike a convoy that killed seven aid workers, including Australian Zomi Frankcom, saying "we will never accept the death of humanitarian workers".
In a video on X, the organisation's chief José Andrés said there was "never an excuse for killing" humanitarians.
He released the video in response to an ABC interview with Israeli colonel Nochi Mendel, who ordered the deadly drone strike on an aid convoy in Gaza that killed Ms Frankcom, along with six of her colleagues, in April 2024.
Colonel Mendel told the ABC he did not intend to harm aid workers but said, "I'm not sorry for what I did."
He said he later became aware of what he claims were links between World Central Kitchen (WCK) and Hamas, describing the organisation as not "really a neutral organisation" — allegations the WCK calls "false and outrageous".
An Israeli commander who ordered a deadly drone strike on an aid convoy in Gaza, killing Australian woman Zomi Frankcom, says he stands by his decision.
A spokesperson for the WCK told the ABC that "this is the latest attempt to shift blame away from the IDF's own actions".
Responding to Colonel Mendel's interview, which was published last week after being conducted in October 2025, Mr Andrés refuted the commander's claims.
"He said we are not a neutral organisation. Really? Let me be very clear to him and to the whole world," he said.
The organisation also renewed calls for an independent investigation into the April 2024 attack.
José Andrés also renewed calls for an independent investigation into the April 2024 attack. (AP Photo: Efrem Lukatsky, File)
