Israel conflict live updates: PM accuses Israel of breaching international law

Anthony Albanese said the government would not recognise a Palestinian state “imminently”, as Israel said it would allow food to be airdropped to Gaza amid the threat of famine.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has accused Israel of breaching international law, but says the government will not recognise a Palestinian state “imminently”.

Mr Albanese suggested there needed to be a “structure” for a Palestinian state before Australia could recognise one.

“What we will do is we’ll make a decision based upon the time,” he told the ABC.

“Is the time right now? Are we about to imminently do that? No, we are not.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he will not support any country that has Hamas at the heart of it. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The PM said Australia “will always make our decisions as a sovereign state”.

“But the role of the United States is critical. And the United States was playing a role in negotiating with the Saudis and Jordan and states in the region about how you move the Middle East conflict forward.”

Mr Albanese said that “quite clearly, it is a breach of international law to stop food being delivered, which was a decision that Israel made in March”.

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ISRAEL ALLOWS AID AIR DROPS TO GAZA TO RESUME

Israel said it would allow food to be airdropped to Gaza and designate humanitarian corridors for UN aid convoys, as thousands of Palestinians face the threat of widespread famine.

Before Israel announced that the flights would resume, the United Arab Emirates had said it would restart aid drops and Britain said it would work with partners including Jordan to assist them.

The decision to apparently loosen up the flow of aid came as the Palestinian civil defence agency said over 50 more Palestinians had been killed in Israeli strikes and shootings Saturday, some as they waited near aid distribution centres.

Palestinians carry sacks of flour unloaded from a humanitarian aid convoy that reached Gaza City from the northern Gaza Strip. Picture: AP

Later Saturday, Israel troops boarded a boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition as it attempted to approach Gaza from the sea, in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade.

“The humanitarian airdrop operation will be conducted in coordination with international aid organisations and the (Israeli army), led by COGAT and the IAF,” the Israeli statement said, referring to the civilian affairs unit for Palestinian territories and the air force.

“In addition, it was decided that designated humanitarian corridors would be established to enable the safe movement of UN convoys delivering food and medicine to the population,” the statement said.

The statement said this would improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and disprove “the false claim of deliberate starvation in the Gaza Strip”.

Humanitarian chiefs are deeply sceptical that airdrops can deliver enough food to tackle the deepening hunger crisis facing Gaza’s more than two million inhabitants. They are instead demanding that Israel allow more overland convoys.

UK PARTY THREATENS TO ‘FORCE VOTE’ ON PALESTINIAN STATE

The Scottish National Party threatened to bring forward legislation on recognising Palestinian statehood and “force a vote” if British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer continues to oppose the move.

The SNP, which pushes for the independence of Scotland, said it would table a “Palestine Recognition Bill” when parliament returns after its summer recess if Starmer did not change his position.

People raise placards and pictures of Israeli hostages during an anti-government protest calling for the end of the war in Tel Aviv. Picture: AFP

Sir Keir has committed to recognising Palestinian statehood but said it must be part of a peace process in the Middle East.

The SNP threat comes after more than 220 British MPs, including dozens from Sir Keir’s ruling Labour party, has demanded that the UK government follow France and recognise a Palestinian state.