Australia has joined 24 other countries to formally condemn Israel over the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza who were killed while trying to receive desperately-needed food and medical aid. The group is urging Israel to open up access for humanitarian supplies, and pressing for an immediate end to the fighting.
The statement, released Monday night, was signed by Foreign Minister Penny Wong as well as ministers from the UK, France, Canada and others.
“The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity,” it said.
“We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic need of water and food. It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid.”
According to figures from the UN Human Rights Council, nearly 900 people have died seeking food at distribution sites in Gaza, and hundreds of these deaths occurred near facilities operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, now the main aid group after replacing the UN Network. The situation on the ground became even more dire after an aid blockade from March, following the collapse of a January ceasefire.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke went on ABC News Breakfast and described what’s happening in Gaza as “indefensible,” adding, “We’ve seen too many images of children being killed, of horrific slaughter, of churches being bombed.
“The images that we’ve seen have been pretty clear that so much of this is indefensible… what we are watching on the other side of the world is indefensible… the war needs to end.”
However, Wong’s statement isn’t without controversy. Opposition frontbencher Jonathon Duniam called the government’s decision to sign the letter “a rather alarming move” on Sky News this morning, saying it “turns a blind eye to how this conflict started on October 7” when Hamas-led militants killed more than 1,200 people in Israel.
Sussan Ley, Deputy Opposition Leader, also insisted that while aid is vital, Hamas needs to release all hostages to help end the crisis.
Meanwhile, Greens leader Larissa Waters called for Australia to “do more” and consider sanctions, arguing stern words aren’t enough.
What’s clear is that daily life in Gaza is horrific. More than 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and movement is severely restricted as the conflict drags on. Tens of thousands have been displaced and struggling to access basics like water and food.
The new international statement doesn’t just focus on aid — it also calls out violent settlement expansion in the West Bank and slams proposals to forcibly relocate Palestinians into a so-called “humanitarian city”.
“Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law,” the joint statement said.
Israel’s foreign ministry rejected the claims outright, calling the joint statement with Australia and others “disconnected from reality” and insisting that “Hamas is the sole party responsible for the continuation of the war and the suffering on both sides”.
Israel argues that the real problem is Hamas’ refusal to accept ceasefires and their alleged looting of aid supplies — accusations Hamas has denied.
Ceasefire talks have so far gone nowhere, and international efforts to pause the violence haven’t led to a breakthrough. Still, the 25 countries, including Australia, say they are ready to “take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region”.
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