Albanese condemns Israel's denial of aid in Gaza as indefensible
Pope condemns ‘barbarity of Israel’s war in Gaza
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned Israel's denial of aid into the Gaza Strip as indefensible, but stopped short of following France in recognising Palestine as a state.
In a statement released this afternoon – one of his strongest to date against Israel – Albanese said Gaza was "in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe", after it emerged 115 Palestinians have starved to death since the conflict started.
"Every innocent life matters. Every Israeli. Every Palestinian," the prime minister said.
Gaza is in the grips of a humanitarian crisis.
"This conflict has stolen too many innocent lives; tens of thousands of civilians are dead, children are starving."
An estimated 60,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the outbreak of conflict following Hamas' attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Some figures suggest as many as 80,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and his government have come under intense international scrutiny after imposing a blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza in March.
The Israeli Defence Forces have also faced criticism after soldiers opened fire on Palestinians who were waiting for aid that was let into the region.
An estimated 60,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
Albanese said the restriction of aid and killing civilians was indefensible.
"Israel's denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food cannot be defended or ignored," he said.
"We call on Israel to comply immediately with its obligations under international law."
"This includes allowing the United Nations and NGO's to carry out their lifesaving work safely and without hindrance."
https://www.instagram.com/p/DMg54JKTcgj/?utm_source=ig_embed&Albanese also reaffirmed the federal government's long-standing position on supporting a two-state solution in the region.
"Any proposals for the permanent displacement of the Palestinian population must be abandoned.
"Recognising the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own has long been a bipartisan position in Australia.
"Australia is committed to a future where both Israeli and Palestinian peoples can live in peace and safety, within secure and internationally recognised borders.
Abdullah Ashour, 7, suffers from burns caused by hot food. More than 100 Palestinians have starved to death in Gaza.
"Until that day, every effort must be made here and now to safeguard innocent life and end the suffering and starvation of the people of Gaza."
However, Albanese did not follow the lead of French President Emmanuel Macron, who announced that France will recognise Palestine as a state.
Macron said in a post on X that he will formalise the decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
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