Extract from ABC News
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared that every Palestinian and Israeli life matters while expressing concern about the climbing civilian death toll in Gaza, as the federal government sharpens its language in urging Israel to abide by international law.
Key points:
- The prime minister says Israel in its efforts to destroy Hamas must maintain the rules of war
- The foreign minister says the international community will not tolerate more innocent deaths
- The government continues to work to help dozens of Australians leave Gaza
Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Thursday added the "international community will not accept ongoing civilian deaths", saying Israel must observe the rules of war.
The government maintains Israel has a "right to defend itself", but Mr Albanese emphasised that it also has a responsibility to ensure innocent civilians are not paying the price for atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7.
"The civilian toll is quite rightly causing enormous concern around the world," he said at a conference in Melbourne on Thursday.
"Every Palestinian life matters, like every Israeli life matters.
"Every effort has to be made to ensure that innocent civilians are protected to every extent possible.
"It is very difficult because of the way that Hamas operates with the use of civilian infrastructure being mixed with what is effectively military infrastructure … but every single effort has to be made."
The number of people killed in Gaza since Israel began its bombing campaign 26 days ago has exceeded 8,700, including more than 3,600 children killed according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
Israeli said Hamas killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians, while taking more than 200 people hostage last month.
Gaza officials say at least 195 Palestinians were killed in the two Israeli attacks on the Jabalia refugee camp this week, with 120 missing under the rubble and hundred more wounded.
Israel said the two strikes killed Hamas military leaders while claiming "terror infrastructure" was built beneath civilian buildings in the area.
Mr Albanese said the images from the refugee camp have "quite rightly" caused "enormous concern" while revealing that he had this week met with Australians who had family members killed in the besieged territory.
"I met with people yesterday afternoon, who have lost family members in Gaza," he said.
"They are quite right to be traumatised and want their government to speak up for them just as the government has spoken up for the loss of Israeli lives and for the families concerned about hostages and the consequences of Hamas's atrocities."
The federal government's firm support for Israel has angered some members of Australia's Arab and Muslim communities who argue Australia along with other Western allies have provided encouragement and moral support for alleged war crimes.
Senator Wong has urged Israel to listen to calls made by friendly nations and adhere to international law, arguing that while Hamas is a "craven terrorist group" that did not lessen Israel's obligation to observe international law and the rules of war.
"Even in war, there are rules," she said.
"The international community will not accept ongoing civilian deaths.
"So when Israel's friends urge Israel to exercise restraint, when Israel's friends urge Israel to protect civilian lives, it is critical that Israel listens.
Senator Wong said Israel's own security was at "grave risk" if the conflict were to spread across the region, and restated Australia's call for a humanitarian pause in hostilities to allow essential supplies including food, water, medicine and fuel into Gaza.
"The people of Gaza cannot wait," she said.
She also said that escalating violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank "needs to stop".
Australians who left Gaza in 'good health'
Overnight 20 Australian citizens, a permanent resident and two family members were able to cross the Rafah border into Egypt after enduring more than three weeks of life under intense bombardment.
Senator Wong said she was "relieved and grateful" that the first cohort was able to make it into Egypt where they are being supported by consular staff in Cairo, as travel arrangements are made for them to return to Australia free of charge.
She said Australia's ambassador to Egypt Axel Wabenhorst had met with those who had made the seven-hour journey from Gaza.
"He said that people seemed in good health and were relieved, but we are ensuring anyone who needs medical attention will receive it," Senator Wong said.
Senator Wong thanked staff from her department and her counterparts in Egypt, Qatar, Israel and the United States who helped broker the deal to get foreign citizens out, but said the work is not over with dozens of Australians and their family members still trapped.
"This is really good progress and we're very grateful and relieved this has occurred, but there's a lot more to be done," she said.
"There are still Australians in Gaza … I know how distressing this situation is for them and for their next of kin, please be assured we will continue to press for all of you to cross the border out of Gaza."
No comments:
Post a Comment