The family of an Australian aid worker killed in Gaza say they are "deeply mourning" the loss of their loved one.
Melbourne-born Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom, along with three other international aid workers and a Palestinian driver, were killed in central Gaza while working with the World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity.
Gaza officials said the group's car was hit by an Israeli air strike after it crossed into the area from northern Gaza, where they had helped to deliver aid.
"Our brave and beloved Zomi has been killed doing the work she loves, delivering food to the people of Gaza," said the Frankcom family in a statement.
They described Zomi as a "kind, selfless and outstanding human being that has travelled the world helping others in their time of need".
"She will leave behind a legacy of compassion, bravery and love for all those in her orbit."
The family said it was "still reeling from the shock" and requested privacy.
'A tragedy that should never have occurred' – Albanese
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, labelling it "completely unacceptable".
Albanese offered his condolences to the Frankcom family and assured them he had been in contact with the Israeli government.
"I didn't have the honour of knowing her, but the sort of values that are shown by someone going into a very dangerous place in order to assist mankind, their fellow humans, it says everything about the character of this young woman," he said.
"This is a tragedy, and my sincere condolences and that of the Australian government go to Zomi's family, her friends and all who knew her."
Albanese said he expected "full accountability" for the deaths.
"Aid workers and those doing humanitarian work, and indeed all innocent civilians, need to be provided with protection," he said.
"This news today is tragic. DFAT have also requested a call-in from the Israeli ambassador to Australia as well."
What we know about what happened
Gaza medical officials said the air strike killed four international aid workers with the World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity who were delivering food and supplies to northern Gaza. Their Palestinian driver was also killed.
Footage showed the bodies of the five dead at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah. Palestinians showed the passports of three of the dead — British, Australian and Polish. The nationality of the fourth aid worker is not currently known.
Several of them wore protective gear with the charity's logo.
Frankcom had worked for WCK for the past five years.
Photos and video posted online showed her travelling to Gaza to supply aid just two weeks ago.
'Aid workers and civilians should NEVER be a target' - WCK
World Central Kitchen confirmed the attack on X, formerly Twitter.
"We are aware of reports that members of the World Central Kitchen team have been killed in an IDF attack while working to support our humanitarian food delivery efforts in Gaza," it wrote online.
"This is a tragedy. Humanitarian aid workers and civilians should NEVER be a target. EVER."
"This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organisations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable," World Central Kitchen chief executive Erin Gore said in a later statement.
The group said seven workers were killed in the attack. They were from Australia, Poland, and the United Kingdom. One was a dual citizen of the US and Canada, and another was Palestinian.
The Israeli Defence Force has also issued a statement saying it is "carrying out a thorough review at the highest level" in regards to the reported attack.
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