Penny Wong has condemned “abhorrent and outrageous” comments made by Netanyahu government members in recent days and said the Israeli government “cannot allow the suffering” in Gaza to continue.
Wong spoke with her Israeli counterpart on Friday ahead of a Sunday announcement by the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu that he would ease the 11-week siege on food, fuel and aid supplies that has left many of the 2 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza starving.
The General Delegation of Palestine in Australia on Wednesday urged the Albanese government to take “concrete action” to prevent further devastation in Gaza, adding: “words and condemnations are not enough at this critical and intolerable stage”.
The federal government on Tuesday joined with 23 other countries to demand Israel allow UN and humanitarian organisations to do their work unimpeded in response to the looming famine in Gaza.
But a UN spokesperson warned only five trucks of aid had reached Gaza by Tuesday afternoon, and that aid workers had not been given permission to distribute even that token shipment.
In a new statement on Wednesday, Wong described the UN reports as “horrifying”. The UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, warned in recent days that 14,000 babies could die in 48 hours if aid did not reach them in time.
“The Israeli government cannot allow the suffering to continue,” the foreign affairs minister said.
“Australia has committed more than $100 million in humanitarian assistance to support civilians in Gaza and Lebanon – too much of which Israel has prevented from reaching vulnerable people.
“Our humanitarian partners have confirmed that they stand ready to provide immediate and lifesaving assistance to the people of Gaza.”
Overnight, the British foreign secretary, David Lammy, suspended negotiations with Israel over a new free trade deal, saying of its cabinet ministers’ calls to “purify Gaza” by expelling Palestinians: “We must call this what it is. It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous.”
Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right critic of any negotiated end to the war, had defended Netanyahu’s decision to let in “basic” food aid, saying it would allow Israel to keep its military in Gaza for a campaign of destruction and displacement.
“Now we conquer, cleanse and stay – until Hamas is destroyed,” he told a news conference. “Along the way, what remains of the strip is also being wiped out.
“As part of the war, the IDF is moving the population out of combat zones … The population will reach the south of the strip, and from there, with God’s help, move to third countries under President [Donald] Trump’s plan.”
Guardian Australia asked Wong whether Australia would follow the UK’s actions in imposing further sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank, or any other actions beyond statements of condemnation, but she did not directly respond to the question.
Instead, Wong said: “We condemn the abhorrent and outrageous comments made by members of the Netanyahu government about these people in crisis.”
“We have consistently opposed the expansion of military operations by Israel in Gaza, just as we have been clear that forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza would breach international law,” she said.
Australia did not join a separate statement signed by Canada, the UK and France on Tuesday warning Israel that its military campaign in Gaza would prompt “further action” from the three countries, including targeted sanctions.
“Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate,” the statement said.
“We will not stand by while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.”
The General Delegation of Palestine to Australia said it welcomed Australia’s decision to join one of the statements but urged the Australian government to take more “concrete” action.
“Israel’s leadership have made abundantly clear through their inflammatory rhetoric, violent incitement and brazen intransigence that they have no intention of stopping their crimes,” a spokesperson said.
“It is equally clear that without a cost for such impunity, they will remain undeterred. The international community, including Australia, must act now.”
The Greens leader, Larissa Waters, described Smotrich’s comments as “horrifying” and implored Labor to act.
“The UK has at the very least taken the step to suspend free trade talks with Israel and announced sanctions after joining France, and Canada in their condemnation of Israel’s offensive – Australia should join these global voices,” she said.
“The Greens want to see pressure put on Netanyahu and his extremist government to end the genocide – our government can do this by sanctioning Netanyahu and his extremist government, ending the two-way arms trade, and recognising Palestine.”
Liberal frontbencher James Paterson said there should “absolutely” be a free flow of aid but said that Palestinian militant group Hamas was responsible for the situation.
“I do think aid should be allowed to enter Gaza, no question about that. We do not want to see innocent people, especially innocent children, suffer as a result of this. But as I’ve said before, and it is really important to continue to emphasise, Hamas has responsibility here,” Paterson told the ABC on Wednesday afternoon.
“Hamas can make choices too and they could make sure that those babies received the aid they need by releasing those hostages. That is the obstacle to peace, and how they could remove it tomorrow if they chose.”
About 58 of the 250 people taken hostage in the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 are still in Gaza – but nearly two-thirds of them are thought to be dead. At least 53,573 Palestinian people have been killed and 121,688 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since 7 October, Gaza’s health ministry said on Tuesday.
