Albanese hits back at Israel’s claims of ‘no starvation’ in Gaza

Anthony Albanese has slammed Israel’s claim that there is “no starvation” in Gaza, echoing similar remarks made by US President Donald Trump.

Anthony Albanese has told his Labor colleagues claims by Israel’s leadership there is no starvation in Gaza are “beyond comprehension”.

The Prime Minister contradicted Israel’s deputy chief of mission in Australia, Amir Meron, who had echoed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s suggestion there was “no starvation in Gaza” when asked about the conditions for Australia supporting Palestinian statehood during a caucus meeting of Labor MPs in Canberra on Tuesday.

Speaking from the floor a Labor MP praised Foreign Minister Penny Wong for the work behind the joint statement signed by Australia and 27 other countries last week calling for an immediate end to war, and condemnation of the number of deaths at aid sites in the enclave.

Newborn Soad Qeshtah seen in an incubator in Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, hours before she died. Picture: Mariam Dagga

The MP then asked about the preconditions necessary for Australia to recognise Palestinian statehood and how long that could be expected to take.

Mr Albanese responded democratic reforms were required and referred to a quote from activist Nelson Mandela that things “seeming impossible until they happen”.

He said the claims there is no starvation in Gaza are “beyond comprehension”.

Mr Albanese also said while there was a “caveat” on any war information flowing from terror group Hamas, it was Israel that had prevented aid from entering the region.

The PM said he had “always” supported two states in the Middle East, and added there were two things the Australian people wanted in relation to the war in Gaza.

“They want the killing to stop and they don’t want the conflict brought here,” he said

Anthony Albanese has told his Labor colleagues claims by Israel’s leader there is no starvation in Gaza are “beyond comprehension”.

On Monday, Mr Netanyahu argued it was “bold-faced lie” to say Israel was causing hunger in Gaza.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley said the photos out of Gaza are “incredibly distressing”, but she would not say there was mass starvation.

Instead, she said it was a “complex situation”.

“There are reports of Hamas interrupting the flow of aid and carrying on its atrocious activities at this time. Now, if we want the war to end, and we all do, we know the simplest, quickest way is for Hamas to surrender and release the hostages,” she said.

Ms Ley said she still believed in a two-state solution, but that could only occur when there is peace.

“We shouldn’t get ahead of a process that is not present at the moment. And unfortunately, with Hamas in charge, there is no prospect of leave, and until that situation resolves, only then can we take those important next steps,” she said.

Mr Albanese’s contradiction follows similar comments by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

Mr Trump said he had told Israel to allow “every ounce of food” into Gaza, acknowledging there was “real starvation” in the region.

Mr Trump said he had told Israel to allow “every ounce of food” into Gaza, acknowledging there was “real starvation” in the region.

He said Israel bore “a lot of responsibility” for the hunger crisis.

Asked what he would ask Mr Netanyahu for the next time they spoke, Mr Trump said: “We’re giving money and we’re giving food, but we’re over here … I want him to make sure they get the food. I want to make sure they get the food, every ounce of food.”

Mr Trump also criticised terror group Hamas for not releasing the remaining hostages and said the group was “very difficult to deal with”.

He also suggested he had asked Mr Netanyahu to change his government’s approach to the situation.

“I told Israel, I told Bibi (Mr Netanyahu), that you have to now maybe do it a different way,” he said.

Originally published as Albanese hits back at Israel’s claims of ‘no starvation’ in Gaza