Alarm over Lebanon amid UN push to protect civilians

Ms Frankcom was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, which has become the world's most dangerous place for aid workers with almost 300 deaths since Israel began its nearly year-long counteroffensive after Hamas' October 7 attack. 

Zomi Frankcom's family said people like her were rare and deserved to be protected. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Israel's defence force blamed the strike on mistaken identification and a breakdown in procedures, following the attack on a World Central Kitchen aid convoy which killed Ms Frankcom and her colleagues.

Ms Frankcom deserved the right to live after serving people "in the most desperate moments of their lives", her family said in a statement supporting Australia's push for a declaration. 

"People like Zomi are rare and their bravery and selflessness should be not only celebrated but protected - they can't be brave at any cost," they said in a statement.

Ms Frankcom's family supported Australia's initiative to protect humanitarian aid workers, saying it was important her work wasn't lost in the discussion as none of the killed humanitarian workers were simply "faceless, nameless aid workers".

More than 280 aid workers were killed in 2023, the deadliest year on record which is expected to be surpassed in 2024 as conflicts rage in Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen and Gaza.

Senator Wong will work with humanitarian organisations and the UN secretary general to present a declaration that outlines practical steps to protect aid workers in conflict while reaffirming humanitarian law in the coming months.

Today I met with a group of humanitarian leaders to discuss practical steps to protect aid workers in conflict zones.— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) I'm grateful for their insight, which will help inform our work as Australia and our partners pursue a Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. pic.twitter.com/RNEsT9Dt1USeptember 23, 2024

She convened ministerial counterparts and senior representatives from Switzerland, Jordan, Indonesia, Sierra Leone, Japan, Brazil, Columbia, the United Kingdom, the Red Cross and the United Nations.

The killing of humanitarian workers was "a deeply alarming trend", the foreign minister told reporters in New York on Tuesday (AEST) after the meeting.

She said "Australia felt this deeply" following Israel's strike on the World Central Kitchen convoy and has pressed Israel to better protect civilians. 

Oxfam Australia welcomed the announcement, saying there was a critical need to protect humanitarian workers.

The foreign minister also called for a de-escalation of conflict in the Middle East as hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon ramped up.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the rise in aid worker killings shows long-held rules are at risk. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

About 500 people were killed, including dozens of children, and more than 1600 injured from the latest Israel missile barrage over the border, according to the Lebanese health ministry. 

Hospitals in the southern part of the country are almost at full capacity as Lebanon works on a mass causality plan, Health Minister Firass Abiad told ABC Radio on Tuesday. 

Israel said it targeted the designated terrorist organisation, including weapon stocks hidden in residential building.

A ground offensive into Lebanon was a possibility and a ceasefire and release of hostages by Hamas in Gaza was needed ahead of wider peace negotiations that would be "derailed" by more fighting, Mr Abiad said.

Senator Wong reiterated a call for Australians to leave Lebanon.

"We're alarmed by the escalation and the loss of civilian life, both in Lebanon and also the attacks into Israel," she said.

Australia was doing what it could to come up with a contingency plan to get people out of Lebanon but numbers were "beyond the capacity of the government to provide assistance to all", she said.

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