Poland’s government has labeled the killing of a Polish aid worker by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza as a murder and is demanding Israel’s full cooperation in the investigation. The death of Damian Soból and six other workers from the World Central Kitchen charity was deemed shocking and disturbing by Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski. Polish prosecutors have opened an investigation into the case, classifying it as a murder, and Bartoszewski is calling for a trial by an independent court in Israel. Israel has taken responsibility for the deaths, attributing them to a tragic mistake and has dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for violating the army’s rules of engagement.
During a discussion in the Polish parliament, lawmakers expressed concerns that the killings should be considered a war crime. Poland is collaborating with other countries such as Australia, Britain, Canada, and the United States, whose citizens were also killed in the shelling, to press for a thorough investigation into how vehicles marked as a humanitarian convoy could have been targeted by the Israeli army. Bartoszewski highlighted that the attack went against all international rules of defense and emphasized Poland’s demand for compensation for the family of Damian Soból, whose body has been repatriated to Poland.
The Israeli military conducted a rapid investigation into the incident and shared its findings with the countries that lost citizens in the attack. Despite accepting responsibility and taking disciplinary actions against the involved officers, Poland views the dismissals as inadequate and seeks further accountability through an independent court trial in Israel. The incident has sparked international outrage and calls for justice, as the tragic deaths of the aid workers distributing food in Gaza have raised concerns about the safety and protection of humanitarian workers in conflict zones. Poland’s stance on the matter underscores the importance of upholding international laws and regulations during military operations to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.
The demand for Israel’s full cooperation in the investigation demonstrates Poland’s commitment to seeking justice for the victims and holding those responsible accountable for their actions. The collaboration with other countries affected by the attack shows a unified effort to push for a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the targeting of the humanitarian convoy in Gaza. The call for compensation for Damian Soból’s family reflects the government’s dedication to supporting the families of the victims and ensuring that they receive the necessary support during this difficult time. As the case progresses, Poland continues to advocate for transparency, accountability, and justice to prevent similar tragedies in the future and uphold the rights of humanitarian workers operating in conflict zones.
