Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has come out with some of his strongest words yet about the ongoing crisis in Gaza, demanding Israel allow more humanitarian aid through and saying scenes of starving children can’t be defended or ignored.
In a statement released today, Albanese did not shy away from describing the dire conditions unfolding in Gaza.
“Tens of thousands of civilians are dead, children are starving. Gaza is in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel’s denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food cannot be defended or ignored,” he said.
“We call on Israel to comply immediately with its obligations under international law. This includes allowing the United Nations and NGOs to carry out their lifesaving work safely and without hindrance.”
He went on to say, “Any proposals for the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian population must be abandoned.
“Australia condemns the terror and brutality of Hamas and we reiterate our call for the immediate release of the remaining hostages.
“We continue to support all international efforts to facilitate a ceasefire, recognising that an immediate and permanent ceasefire gives the best hope of bringing hostages home and easing the agony of their loved ones.”
Though Albanese’s comments come amid intensifying calls for world leaders to push for a ceasefire and help alleviate civilian suffering, Australia is not yet joining France in the official recognition of a Palestinian state.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognise Palestine in an effort to boost peace efforts, drawing criticism from Israel and the United States.
Albanese reiterated in his statement that the Australian government remains committed to a two-state solution.
“Australia is proud to have strongly supported the creation of the modern state of Israel,” he said.
“Then, as now, the global community envisioned two states: the State of Israel and the State of Palestine
“Recognising the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own has long been a bipartisan position in Australia,” he continued.
“Australia is committed to a future where both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can live in peace and safety, within secure and internationally-recognised borders.
“Until that day, every effort must be made here and now to safeguard innocent life and end the suffering and starvation of the people of Gaza.”
Independent MP Allegra Spender backed Albanese’s stance on aid, telling Sky News, “To see images of people who desperately need aid and not getting what they need is horrific – including deaths of people seeking aid – this is horrific.
“While absolutely Hamas must be held to account, Israel has taken on the aid distribution, and Israel now needs to be make sure that those people can receive the aid that they need, and they can do so safely.”
The statement comes after Israel and US pulled out of ceasefire discussions. Steve Witkoff, US Middle East envoy, explained why America pulled out from talks in Doha this week: “We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza… While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith.”
On the ground, the crisis facing Palestinians has become almost unimaginable. The United Nations and World Health Organisation are calling the crisis “a man-made mass starvation”, directly tying hunger and mounting death tolls to the continuing restrictions on aid by Israel.
Over a thousand people have died recently trying to get access to food, and The Guardian notes that at least 45 have died from starvation in just the past four days, while the total number killed in Gaza since October 2023 is more than 59,000, with over 143,000 wounded — most of them civilians.
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