AN AUSTRALIAN report blamed Israel today for the deaths of seven aid workers in drone strikes on three World Central Kitchen vehicles on April 1.

Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East continued to rise following the assassinations of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur earlier this week.

Australia initiated the investigation after its citizen Zomi Frankcom, three of her aid worker colleagues and three British personal security staff died in the attack.