Australia condemns Israel’s ‘killing of innocent civilians’ in Gaza: Penny Wong

Penny Wong is making fresh demands on Israel following a US ultimatum to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong is demanding Israel “allow essential supplies to flow” into war-torn Gaza after the US gave the Israeli government an ultimatum.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin wrote to their Israeli counterparts over the weekend calling on Israel to improve the dire humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory within 30 days.

They suggested US military support could be at risk if “urgent and sustained actions” were not taken to improve the situation in Gaza, where 1.9 million displaced Palestinians face rampant disease and famine after a year of war.

Senator Wong said on Wednesday conditions in the strip’s north, where Israel has ramped up its military action in recent weeks, were “unacceptable”.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong with Israel’s ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Aid groups and independent monitors have been warning of dire conditions facing residents of war-torn Gaza. Picture: AFP

“Australia condemns the killing of innocent civilians by Israel in recent operations in Gaza,” Senator Wong said.

“The humanitarian situation in northern Gaza is unacceptable. Israel must allow essential supplies to flow.

“I have asked Australia’s officials to convey our concerns directly to Israel.”

She said the Albanese government supported “all efforts” to ensure the flow of aid.

“Palestinian civilians cannot pay the price for defeating Hamas,” she said.

Earlier, Coalition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said it was “important that Israel heed” the US’s calls and make sure “humanitarian supplies do reach people, innocent people, who need it in Gaza”.

Coalition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham has backed the US demands for increased flow of aid into Gaza. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

“It’s certainly within their power to provide the flow for aid,” he told Sky News.

“Of course, there are huge problems that Gaza is going to face in terms of rebuilding.

“That’s why Hamas should release the hostages, agree to a ceasefire and enable a proper process … for not just humanitarian aid, but planning for the future of the people living in Gaza, planning for the rebuilding to occur, all of which could occur if Hamas ceased hostilities, surrendered its terrorism infrastructure, most importantly, freely gave up all of the hostages that they continue to hold.”

Upward of 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s relentless response to Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attacks last year.

People queue to receive food aid from a kitchen in Gaza. Picture: Omar Al-Qattaa / AFP

Hamas, the Iran-backed Islamist group that runs Gaza, killed 1200 and injured thousands more in its brutal attacks last year, with militants taking hundreds more hostage as they retreated.

Senator Wong on Wednesday repeated the Albanese government’s call “for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, protection of civilians and increased humanitarian access”.

“Parties must agree to the plan put forward by the US and endorsed by the United Nations Security Council,” she said.

“Delays are costing lives.”

Australia condemns the killing of innocent civilians by Israel in recent operations in Gaza.

The humanitarian situation in northern Gaza is unacceptable. Israel must allow essential supplies to flow.

I have asked Australia’s officials to convey our concerns directly to Israel.

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) October 15, 2024

The US has been unwavering in its support for Israel and just sent an advanced antimissile system to its Middle East ally along with a crew to operate it.

But with the civilian death toll so high in Gaza, pressure is mounting on Israel’s Western allies.

Mr Blinken and Mr Lloyd wrote that Washington was “particularly concerned” that Israel was “halting commercial imports, denying or impeding nearly 90 per cent of humanitarian movements between northern and southern Gaza in September, continuing burdensome and excessive dual-use restrictions, and instituting new vetting and onerous liability and customs requirements for humanitarian staff and shipments”.

They added that “increased lawlessness and looting” were “contributing to an accelerated deterioration in the conditions in Gaza”.

They said the action must be begin immediately and failure to act may “have implications for US policy”.

Originally published as Australia condemns Israel’s ‘killing of innocent civilians’ in Gaza: Penny Wong