Poland says Gaza catastrophe eroding support in pro-Israel nations

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on Thursday criticized Israel's conduct in Gaza, stating that the "humanitarian catastrophe" and failure to hold the military accountable for "excessive use of force" were eroding international backing for Tel Aviv even among its traditional supporters. Speaking on the social media platform X, Sikorski emphasized that "Partnership requires mutual respect," and warned that the mounting civilian toll was damaging Israel's standing globally, particularly in nations that have historically defended Israeli security interests.

Probe into aid worker's death closed

The remarks followed Warsaw's expression of "great disappointment" over Israeli military authorities' decision to discontinue proceedings into the April 1, 2024 shelling of a World Central Kitchen humanitarian convoy in the Gaza Strip — an attack that killed Polish citizen Damian Sobol and six other international aid workers. Israeli officials informed Poland of the case closure on August 19, prompting senior diplomats to summon the Israeli ambassador in Warsaw for urgent consultations to communicate the government's displeasure with the move.

Polish authorities conveyed a critical assessment of the investigation's handling and demanded that Israel provide all necessary explanations and materials requested by investigators to aid the parallel inquiry underway at home. The District Prosecutor's Office in Przemysl is conducting a separate domestic investigation into the circumstances of Sobol's death, which occurred when Israeli forces struck the clearly marked aid convoy traveling through the southern Gaza Strip, the ministry noted.

Demands for accountability

Warsaw rejected what it termed "the perpetrators' evasion of legal and moral responsibility" for the 2024 tragedy, insisting that a full accounting was essential to preserve bilateral trust. "The circumstances in which the tragedy occurred in 2024 should be fully clarified," the ministry stated, adding that "The families deserve appropriate redress" for the loss of life caused by the military strike.