Sydney woman Galit Carbone killed in Israel, first known Australian casualty

Sydney woman Galit Carbone is the first known Australian casualty from the attacks by terrorist group Hamas near the Gaza Strip in Israel.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong confirmed the death of Carbone, 66, saying the government unequivocally condemned the attacks.

Sydney woman Galit Carbone has died near the Gaza Strip border following attacks from terrorist group Hamas.

“The Australian government has received confirmation of the tragic death of Galit Carbone, an Australian citizen murdered in the attacks on Israel by terrorist group Hamas,” she said.

“I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Ms Carbone. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to her family in Israel and in Australia.”

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil also expressed her condolences – on Seven’s Sunrise program – to Carbone’s friends and family, saying she was devastated for the broader Jewish community as the death toll from the Hamas-Israel conflict continues to rise.

“This is heartbreaking news this morning for the family of this particular individual, her community here in Australia … our hearts absolutely go out to her,” O’Neil said.

“I’m devastated for the people who knew her, but also the broader Jewish Australian community.

“We’ve got brothers and sisters of the Jewish religion around our country who are suffering greatly from what is a brutal, violent, abhorrent and completely unjustified act of terrorism against their country and their citizens.”

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the death of Carbone was the latest chapter in an unfolding horror in Israel.

“The Australian Jewish community is already devastated and confirmation of an Australian grandmother murdered in her home brings us new pain and sorrow,” Ryvchin said.

“This mass atrocity has transcended Israel’s borders and devastated communities and nations throughout the world.

“We mourn with the Carbone family at this terrible time and stand with the people of Israel and all the nations affected by this mass atrocity.”

The Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said the news of Carbone’s death adds to the trauma the community was facing.

“We are facing the terrible news flooding out of Israel, which is more horrific each day. With so many Jewish Australians having family and friends in Israel, the news of murders, those missing, kidnapped or injured is raw and personal,” he said.

On the fourth day of heavy fighting since Hamas rockets and gunmen ravaged Israel on Saturday, a historic 360,000 Israeli reservists had been called up to serve.

As of Wednesday morning, more than 1000 Israelis have been killed and 3400 injured since Saturday, while retaliatory strikes have killed at least 770 Palestinians and wounded more than 4000.

The 150 hostages taken from Israel into Gaza on Saturday remain missing and their fates are unknown.

Countries around the world are beginning to account for their own citizens in Israel, as US President Joe Biden confirmed at least 20 Americans are unaccounted for and some might be among the 150 hostages.

“We believe that there are 20 or more Americans who, at this point, are missing. But I want to underscore and stress that does not mean, necessarily, that there are 20 or more American hostages. Just that is the number who are currently unaccounted for,” he said.

The number of French people killed in Israel reported by the French Foreign Ministry has risen to eight, with 20 unaccounted for as several are believed to be held hostage.

DFAT and Carbone’s family have been contacted for comment.

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