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Monday, Dec 22, 2025

Seven Aid Workers Killed in Gaza Airstrike: Tributes to Lalzawmi

Seven Aid Workers Killed in Gaza Airstrike: Tributes to Lalzawmi

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza resulted in the death of seven aid workers from around the world, including three British nationals, an Australian, a Polish national, an American-Canadian dual citizen, and a Palestinian.
Among the identified victims was Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom, a 43-year-old woman who had worked for World Central Kitchen for the past five years, traveling to various countries for aid efforts.

Frankcom was remembered as a selfless and brave individual who cared deeply for others.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Frankcom's relatives paid tribute to an Australian woman, Frankcom, who was killed while delivering food aid in Gaza.

Frankcom, an outstanding human being born in Melbourne with a bachelor's degree from Swinburne University, had a history of helping others, both internationally and during Australia's bushfires.

She spent eight years working for the Commonwealth Bank before dedicating herself to humanitarian work.

Her social media showed her aiding people in need in various countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Romania, and Haiti.

Dora Weekley, a colleague of Chef Annabelle Frankcom from World Central Kitchen, described Frankcom as an larger-than-life figure.

Frankcom, who is usually seen in sweats and running shoes while working in various disaster-stricken areas around the world, made an exception when she was invited to walk a Hollywood red carpet for a documentary about World Central Kitchen that was nominated for an Emmy.

Weekley, who took a picture of Frankcom in a dress and urged her to keep it as a memory, praised Frankcom's dedication and selflessness in helping those in need.

Damian Soból, a 36-year-old manager at World Central Kitchen, was known for his cheerful, friendly, and resourceful demeanor.

He quickly rose through the ranks of the organization.

A man named Soból, originally from Przemyśl, Poland, and studying hospitality, had been involved in humanitarian aid missions in Ukraine, Morocco, Turkiye, and most recently, Gaza.

He was described as an extraordinary and skilled individual by Marta Wilczynska of the Free Place Foundation, who met him at the Polish-Ukrainian border after Russia's invasion in February 2022.

Soból was a fluent English speaker and translator, and an adept manager who could handle challenging conditions.

Mikolaj Rykowski, President of the Free Place Foundation, referred to Soból as "the man for every task," capable of overcoming any difficulty.

Soból was well-loved by those he worked with for his helpfulness, smile, and dedication to his job.

Przemyśl Mayor Wojciech Bakun expressed grief over the death of Palestinian aid worker Saif Issam Abu Taha, 27, in a Facebook post.

Relatives and hospital workers identified Abu Taha as the victim of an airstrike.

He had worked for World Central Kitchen as a driver since the beginning of the year.

Abu Taha's brother confirmed his dedication to his job.
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