Wong urges Israel, Hamas to honour Gaza ceasefire deal and to protect civilians after strikes
Australia’s foreign minister urges for a ceasefire deal to be upheld in the Middle East after Israel launched a wave of air strikes on Gaza.
Israel’s military said it had launched strikes on several Hamas targets in the enclave, with Palestinian authorities saying at least 200 people have died in the attack.
The attack is the largest in the region since a ceasefire agreement came into effect in January.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Foreign Minister Penny Wong called for that deal to be heeded.
“Australia urges all parties to respect the terms of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, and for it to be implemented in full,” Senator Wong said in a statement on social media on Tuesday.
“All civilians must be protected. All parties must abide by international law. Terrorist group Hamas must release all hostages immediately, unconditionally and with dignity.
“Palestinian civilians cannot pay the price of defeating Hamas. It has now been two weeks since humanitarian aid last entered Gaza.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the strikes because of a lack of progress to extend the ceasefire with Hamas.
The first phase resulted in 25 hostages being freed and eight bodies returned in exchange for the release of about 1900 Palestinian prisoners.
Aid entering Gaza was suspended by Israel a day after the ceasefire lapsed in early March.
No agreement for a second ceasefire stage has been reached.
Senator Wong reiterated calls for aid to be reinstated to Gaza following the latest attacks.
“We join partners, including the UK, Germany and France, in calling on Israel to abide by its obligations, including to provide basic services and facilitate humanitarian assistance,” she said.
“Australia supports ongoing international efforts to extend the ceasefire and urges the parties to engage constructively in negotiations towards a permanent end to hostilities.”
Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1200 people and taking some 250 people hostage, according to Israel’s tallies.
More than 48,000 people have been killed during Israel’s counteroffensive, according to Gazan health authorities, and most of the 2.3 million-strong population displaced.
