Key facts
- Poland summoned the Israeli ambassador to Warsaw following Israel's closure of its investigation into the April 2024 strike on a WCK aid convoy.
- Seven foreign aid workers, including Polish national Damian Sobol, were killed in the strike.
- Poland's Foreign Ministry expressed disappointment, condemned the measures taken, and demanded full clarification of the circumstances.
- Poland expects Israel to provide requested materials to Polish investigators.
- The incident has caused diplomatic tension, with Poland's president calling the Israeli ambassador's comments "outrageous".
Poland summoned Israel's ambassador to Warsaw to express its disappointment and condemnation following Tel Aviv's decision to close its investigation into an attack on a World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid convoy in Gaza. Seven foreign aid workers, including Polish national Damian Sobol, were killed in the April 1, 2024 strike.
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it rejected the measures taken so far and demanded that the circumstances of the killings be "fully clarified." The ministry added that it would not accept attempts by those responsible to "evade their legal and moral accountability."
The Regional Prosecutor’s Office in the Polish city of Przemyśl, Sobol’s hometown, is also investigating the case. Poland expects Israel to provide all requested explanations and materials to the Polish authorities.
Diplomatic tensions were further exacerbated by comments made by Israeli Ambassador Yacov Livne, who pushed back against accusations of intentional murder. Polish President Andrzej Duda called Livne's remarks "outrageous" and described the ambassador as "the biggest problem for the state of Israel in relations with Poland." Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed these sentiments, stating that the comments offended Poles and that an apology was warranted. Tusk also noted that Poland's solidarity with Israel was being severely tested by the attack and the subsequent reaction.