An Israeli army colonel who ordered a drone strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza stated he is "not sorry" for the attack, blaming the organization for alleged ties to Hamas. The decision not to pursue a criminal investigation was condemned by the UK, Canada, and Australia.
The unapologetic stance of the Israeli officer responsible for the strike and the decision not to pursue a criminal investigation highlight ongoing tensions and a lack of accountability regarding civilian casualties in the Gaza conflict, drawing international condemnation and calls for justice.
Colonel Nochi Mendel, the Israeli army officer who ordered the drone strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers in Gaza on April 1, 2024, has stated he is "not sorry" for the attack. In an interview recorded in October 2025, Mendel told Australia's ABC broadcaster that he stood by his decision, claiming there was an "intermingling between the WCK and Hamas operatives" and that the organization was not entirely neutral.
WCK rejected Mendel's allegations as "false and outrageous," calling them an attempt to shift blame from the Israeli army's actions and stating the officer had no credibility due to his direct involvement and subsequent removal from his post for "serious failures and breaches of standard operating procedure."
Mendel was removed from his position as chief of staff of the Israeli military’s Nahal infantry brigade following the incident. The Israeli army had previously stated the strike resulted from a series of failures, including breaches of its rules of engagement.
Earlier in August 2026, the Israeli military announced it would not open a criminal investigation into the attack. This decision was met with strong condemnation from the UK, Canada, and Australia, who jointly called it "shameful" and "particularly egregious," particularly on World Humanitarian Day. The three nations pledged to continue seeking answers and justice for the victims and their families.