World Central Kitchen has rejected Israeli commander Nochi Mendel's story as "false and outrageous", calling for an independent probe into the 2024 killings
The Israeli commander who authorised a drone strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers in Gaza has said he is “not sorry” for his actions, as Israel faces renewed criticism for closing its investigation without bringing criminal charges.
Former colonel Nochi Mendel, who was dismissed after the April 2024 attack, told Australia’s ABC News on Thursday that he had ordered the attack and accepted responsibility, while claiming he did not intend to kill the aid workers.
"I’m the commander, and I’m the one who gave the order to carry out the operation," Mendel said in an interview recorded in October 2025. "I didn’t run away from the situation. I said I gave the order; don’t look for anyone else."
Asked about the outcome, he added: "I’m not sorry for what I did."
The comments came after the Israeli military announced on 19 August that it would not pursue criminal investigations or further action against those involved in the strike on the WCK convoy.
Three Israeli drone strikes hit the WCK convoy in central Gaza on 1 April 2024, killing seven aid workers who had been delivering food to Palestinians.
The convoy had left a warehouse in Deir al-Balah after unloading aid brought into Gaza by sea. It consisted of three vehicles travelling on a route coordinated with the Israeli military.
Those killed were Palestinian worker Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha; Australian aid worker Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom; Polish national Damian Sobol; British nationals James Henderson, John Chapman and James Kirby; and US-Canadian dual national Jacob Flickinger.
The Israeli military initially described the attack as a "grave mistake" resulting from misidentification. Officials later said an object thought to be a weapon was in fact a bag. The strikes hit the three vehicles separately over about four minutes.
Mendel was removed as chief of staff of the Israeli army’s Nahal infantry brigade following the attack. The military said he had committed failures including breaches of rules of engagement and standard procedures.
Mendel said he was monitoring a drone feed as WCK vehicles escorted trucks carrying aid to a warehouse in Deir al-Balah. He alleged that armed Hamas fighters had travelled with the convoy and mingled with WCK staff.
"We can clearly see armed terrorists getting out and firing from the trucks," he claimed. "We see them all mixed together — both the WCK guys and the Hamas terrorists with weapons."
He said he initially decided not to strike the men because they were near WCK workers, but later believed an armed person had entered one of the vehicles.
"I attacked the vehicle where an armed terrorist boarded with the weapon, and it’s southbound," he said. But asked by the Australian broadcaster whether any fighters were killed, Mendel replied: "Maybe one, or maybe none were killed."
Mendel also alleged that WCK had "ties to Hamas", saying it was not "really a neutral organisation" and was not "innocent and completely clean", without providing any evidence.
"Of course we didn’t intend to kill anyone from the WCK; their connection with Hamas was a deviation from the plan," he said.
WCK rejected the allegations as "false and outrageous", accusing Mendel of trying to shift blame for the Israeli military’s actions.
"The individual making these slanderous claims has no credibility," the organisation told *ABC *in response to Mendel's interview, calling for "truth and justice" through an independent investigation.
A 2024 review by Australia’s Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin found Israeli commanders had been instructed not to carry out further strikes around the WCK convoy that night.
Australia, Canada and the UK condemned Israel’s decision to close the case in a joint statement on 21 August, saying it was "shameful".
"The victims of this incident and their families deserve justice and accountability, and we will continue to seek answers on their behalf," they said.
British Middle East minister Stephen Doughty said he was "appalled and angry" on behalf of the families of the British victims.
A US State Department spokesperson told The New Arab: "The Department’s highest priority is the safety and security of American citizens abroad. We refer you to the government of Israel on the results of the investigations Israel conducted regarding this incident."
Gaza was the world’s deadliest conflict for aid workers in 2025, when 186 humanitarian workers were killed there, according to the UN.
