Australia gives another $10m for humanitarian aid in Gaza

As slow progress is made towards a ceasefire in war-torn Gaza, Australia has given another $10m in humanitarian aid.

Australia has committed a further $10m for food urgently needed in Gaza.

The latest funding takes Australia’s humanitarian assistance to $72.5m since October 7.

Federal frontbencher Anne Aly was in Jordan this week at an urgent meeting about aid in Gaza.

“Ultimately, this is about Israel taking responsibility for this and this was something that we emphasised … that Israel must allow the flow of aid into Gaza and the distribution of aid throughout Gaza,” Dr Aly told ABC Radio.

Aid being dropped into Gaza by the Jordanian Army on May 30. Picture: Jordanian Army / AFP

The money will go the United Nations World Food Program.

World Food Program executive director Cindy McCain last month said Israeli restrictions on humanitarian deliveries to Gaza, which has long relied on outside food assistance, had pushed civilians in the most isolated, devastated part of Gaza into famine.

Anne Aly says Palestinians are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

In the midst of a diplomatic trip to Ukraine and a visit by the Chinese Premier tying up various ministers, Egyptian-born Dr Aly was tapped to represent Australia in Jordan.

“Dr Anne Aly and her family are among many in the Australian community who have lived experience and understanding of the long and devastating conflict in the Middle East,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said this week.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong says the war in Gaza must end. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic,” Dr Aly said.

“Over one million Palestinians are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity and around 1.7 million people have been displaced, many several times over. Humanitarian access remains grossly inadequate.

“Israel must allow aid to flow at scale as ordered by the International Court of Justice.

An emergency summit in Jordan was held to discuss the humanitarian issue. Picture: Chris Setian / AFP / Jordanian Royal Hasemite Court

“We thank Egypt, Jordan and the United Nations for bringing the world together in support of civilians in Gaza. The suffering of Palestinian civilians cannot continue.”

This week the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution endorsing a US-backed ceasefire proposal that aims to end Israel’s eight-month assault on Gaza.

A strike south of Gaza City, in the town of al-Zawaida, on June 11. Infrastructure and large sections of agricultural land have been destroyed in the conflict. Picture: Eyad Baba / AFP

The proposal calls for a six-week ceasefire and exchange of Israeli captives held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

The second phase is a permanent ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages, and the third phase is rebuilding the Gaza Strip.

“That no country voted against the (UNSC) resolution underlines the international community’s view that this war must end,” Senator Wong said.

Save the Children Australia chief executive Mat Tinkler said assistance from Australia was vital.

An aid worker walks through Gaza. Picture: Caritas Jerusalem

“While it is too late for the more than 14,000 children who have already died in this war, there are still more than a million children in desperate need of support, so it is critical that Australia makes further humanitarian contributions and continues to call for an immediate and definitive ceasefire,” he said.

“With the entire child population in Gaza at risk of famine, this additional $10m in funding to the World Food Program is sorely needed and will help save lives.”

Caritas Australia works with 13 partner organisations delivering aid in Gaza.

The Caritas office amid destruction in Gaza. Picture: Caritas Jerusalem

Since the beginning of May, the Rafah crossing has been closed, reducing the number of aid trucks which could get through to about 100-per-day, Caritas Australia associate director Damian Spruce said.

Before October 7, eight-in-10 people in Gaza relied on aid to survive, with 500 trucks entering the enclave daily.

“We are eight months into this conflict, and from day one civilians, humanitarians and medical workers should have been protected,” Mr Spruce said.

“The harm being done to thousands of innocent people simply cannot continue.”

“It will take years to rebuild what has been lost, and many will need decades of support as they deal with the impacts of malnutrition on the development of their children, as well as life changing physical injuries and psychological traumas.”