An Australian woman reportedly among a group of aid workers killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza has been identified as Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom.
Frankcom, 43, was working for not-for-profit World Central Kitchen (WCK) when she and six other foreign nationals were all killed in a vehicle that was hit in the airstrike.
A photo posted on social media shows the body of a woman with an Australian passport placed on her chest.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was “urgently” investigating the reports.
“They are indeed very concerning,” he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
“I’m very concerned about the loss of life that is occurring in Gaza.
“My government has supported a sustainable ceasefire.
“We’ve called for the release of hostages and there have been far too many innocent lives, Palestinian and Israeli, lost during the Gaza-Hamas conflict.”
DFAT confirmed it was seeking to verify the reports.
“These reports are very distressing,” a spokesperson said.
“We have been clear on the need for civilian lives to be protected in this conflict.
“We have been very clear that we expect humanitarian workers in Gaza to have safe and unimpeded access to do their lifesaving work.
“Owing to our privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further comment.”
Frankcom’s friends praised her as a brave woman who was always willing to help the community.
“Such a loss, she was so passionate about her work helping others,” Australian friend Karuna Bajracharya said.
“She emanates love and generosity and I know with her work they handed out 50-million meals.”
“Where are the rules of engagement, you’re not meant to target these people, she trusted that,” he said.
Bajracharya’s wife, Karuna Gurung, said Frankcom was her oldest friend who she’d known since six-years-old.
She said Frankcom played a huge role in supporting emergency workers and the local community following the black summer bushfires in 2019.
“There’s a huge hole where she was … she had a lot of energy and a lot of life in her,” Gurung said.
WCK described the incident as “unforgivable” and “targeted”.
It said despite the group travelling in a “de-conflicted zone” and having coordinated movements with the Israeli Defence Force, the branded car was struck as it was leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse in central Gaza.
“This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organisations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war,” Gore said.
The Israel Defense Forces said it is conducting a “thorough review at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of this tragic incident”.
“The IDF makes extensive efforts to enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, and has been working closely with WCK (World Central Kitchen) in their vital efforts to provide food and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”
The not-for-profit’s website says the organisation provides meals in the wake of natural disasters, crises and humanitarian emergencies around the world.
Following the attack, WCK said it will pause operations in Gaza.
