Poland has summoned Israel’s ambassador in Warsaw and expressed strong disappointment after Israel decided to discontinue criminal proceedings into the 2024 Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza, including Polish citizen Damian Sobol.
According to Reuters, Sobol, a volunteer from Przemysl in southeastern Poland, was among workers for celebrity chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen who were killed in the April 2024 strike. The attack sparked international condemnation and renewed scrutiny of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Poland’s Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the Israeli ambassador on Thursday and criticised the steps taken so far to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Warsaw said a separate investigation by the District Prosecutor’s Office in Przemysl remains ongoing.
The Polish government also called on Israel to provide Polish investigators with all relevant explanations and materials requested as part of their investigation.
Deputy Foreign Minister Ignacy Niemczycki described Israel’s decision as surprising and said Poland expected clarification, stressing that the use of force should be proportionate and that inappropriate use of force should have consequences.
Australia also summoned Israel’s ambassador in Canberra after an Australian citizen was killed in the same strike.
The diplomatic dispute comes amid continuing international criticism of Israel’s conduct of the Gaza war. Israel’s military maintains that its attacks are directed at Hamas militants and says it investigates some incidents involving civilian deaths.
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