After the ‘mother of all wars', I found regret and celebration on the streets of Beersheba
During the October 7 attacks of 2023, the Israeli special forces police officer travelled to Ofakim, near the Gaza border, to fight off Hamas militants who had stormed into Israel and murdered civilians. When an Iranian missile struck a hospital in his home town of Beersheba last week, he served as a first responder, helping to evacuate injured patients.
On Tuesday morning, the war between Israel and Iran came into Aronov's own home when the walls of his apartment building started shaking as he and his wife, Lior, sheltered in their bedroom. An Iranian missile had directly struck an apartment building just a few hundred metres away, killing four of his neighbours and shattering the windows of his apartment.
The hit on Beersheba was one of the most damaging since Israel and Iran began trading fire 12 days earlier and the last to pierce Israel's air defences before a ceasefire deal took effect.
As he cleans up the broken glass from his apartment building, Aronov expresses mixed emotions about the truce. Part of him wishes that Israel had tried to overthrow Iran's theocratic regime and redraw the political map in the Middle East, not just weaken Tehran's military capabilities. 'The job is not done,' says the professional mixed martial arts fighter, who is nicknamed 'The Cop' because of his police work. 'Yet on the other hand, 28 people have died and that's a high price.' Among the Israelis who died on Tuesday: Eitan Zacks, an 18-year-old off-duty soldier; his mother, Michal; and his girlfriend, Noa, as they sheltered in their safe room.
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Like the vast majority of Israelis, Aronov has been an enthusiastic supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to target Iranian nuclear enrichment and weapons manufacturing facilities. Polls show about eight in 10 Jewish Israelis backed the decision to attack Iran, which is loathed for supporting proxy groups targeting Israel including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
'This is the most justified war somebody can have,' Aronov says. 'If Iran had a nuclear weapon it would be a threat to the entire world.'
He continues: 'The problem with the ceasefire is that in a few years we know this will all happen again. I hope the regime in Iran falls; that would be for the good of both people.'
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Sydney Morning Herald
14 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Please. End the suffering and feed Gaza's poor, starving children
Forty-five children died of starvation or malnutrition in Gaza on Thursday. Reports vary between 100 and 300 in the past six weeks, including a six-week-old baby. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed by IDF gunfire meant to 'disperse crowds' at aid distribution sites, all located in militarised zones. Freelance journalists in Gaza are reporting widespread hunger. The World Health Organisation says 25 per cent of Gaza's population is facing 'famine-like conditions', and director Tedros Adhanom Gadbreyesus has said it's a 'mass starvation, and it's man-made'. Let's call a spade a spade: Israel is starving Palestinians to death. Marilyn Lebeter, Smiths Creek After the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong announced that Israel had a right to defend itself but that the response should be measured and proportional. There was the expected pile-on against her by the usual suspects. If only her sentiments had been followed. Article 33 of Geneva Convention IV identifies the collective punishment of a people as a war crime. We learn today that one in five children in Gaza are suffering from malnutrition. People are dying of starvation daily, while tons of aid remains blocked at the borders. In the years to come, this will be recognised as the crime against humanity that it is. It needs to be stopped today. Jack Amond, Cabarita With the fox in charge of the henhouse, the Israel and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) will deny seeing any starvation on its watch. Which is strange really, given the IDF performs military strikes with almost pinpoint accuracy. The death toll of civilians in those misnamed 'humanitarian aid' lines has risen to more than 1000. How has the GHF allowed this to happen? It's a despicable state of affairs and needs universal condemnation, and action. Helen Lewin, Tumbi Umbi They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so how poignant that the Herald front page carries the photo of one-year-old Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq, who is facing life-threatening malnutrition (' Suffer the children ', July 25). When will the world take more decisive action to bring an end to this catastrophic war in Gaza and allow aid to flow? When will all the folk who talk about antisemitism raise their voices to rein in Netanyahu's tyrannical quest for power and domination of the Palestinians? I hope Muhammad's picture will be seared into people's consciousness, just like the 'Napalm Girl' picture taken during the Vietnam War. Rhonda Seymour, Castle Hill I'm totally distraught from the shocking images of starvation emerging from Gaza. I don't care what the rest of the world is doing – I want the Australian government to be courageous and place immediate sanctions on the Israeli government now. It is not a Zionist thing or a Jewish thing or an Israeli thing. It's a humanitarian thing. Matt Bower, Green Point The heartbreaking front page picture of an emaciated child and mother reduced me to tears of utter despair. How can this be allowed to happen? So much rhetoric from world leaders to absolutely no avail, as the appalling carnage continues. Elizabeth Kroon, Randwick Your front-page photo is today's real-life version of Michelangelo's The Pieta. Shame on those countries enabling Netanyahu's behaviour. Shame on the rest of us for standing idly by and watching the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, illustrated starkly by the photo. Meg Pickup, Ballina A picture, or a cartoon, tells a thousand words. The front-page photo of a mother cradling her starving child, together with the Wilcox cartoon highlighting the fate of Gazans at the hands of Israel, make clear the horrors now experienced by the Palestinian people. The denial of humanitarian aid and the killing of those seeking it is obscene, immoral and a crime against humanity. Michael Healy, Raworth I looked at the Herald's front-page photo today and wept yet again. How much longer before the world stops talking and does something about removing Benjamin Netanyahu? How is it that this man is allowed to continue, day by day, wreaking death and starvation on the defenceless? Enough talking. Margaret Ryan, Bexley The children of Gaza are being starved to death. They are paying the ultimate price for the 1200 people killed by Hamas in October 2023. There is a moral obligation for Australia to join South Africa in filing the case of genocide against Israel in the International Court of Justice. Mark Porter, New Lambton To accompany your front-page headline 'Suffer the children', a reference to the so-called mass starvation in Gaza, you feature a photo of an emaciated child and a very healthy, well-fed woman, purportedly the child's mother. How is it that the child is cachectic, yet the mother is well nourished? George Fishman, Vaucluse It is morally indefensible for Australia to remain silent while thousands of civilians in Gaza are bombed, starved and displaced. The deliberate targeting of hospitals, schools and aid convoys has been widely documented and condemned by the UN and humanitarian organisations. As an Australian, I am ashamed that our government has yet to call for sanctions or even a permanent ceasefire. Silence is not neutrality – it is complicity. We must not stand by while war crimes are carried out. Australia must act. Deborah Nestola, Brighton (Vic) Starvation and malnutrition are growing alarmingly in Gaza. Shame on the world's leaders for remaining so passive for so long. Only now, when images of skeletal children emerge and the weight of public pressure grows, are they saying something. Enough of the meek voices and the moral relativism – concrete, consequential action to stop this atrocity is needed now. Alexander Lane, Thornleigh Day after day we hear resolutions from nations, the UN and the International Criminal Court condemning the actions of the Israel Defence Forces. We hear terms such as mass starvation, genocide and war crimes, yet the situation in Gaza rages on with no sign of ending, and the world looks on helplessly. Similarly, the war in Ukraine continues after three years, with the US and European nations seemingly powerless to intervene to bring a halt to this unjust war. Given all of this, it is difficult to imagine how the world would respond in any meaningful way to any action by China to seize Taiwan. Phil Peak, Dubbo Waleed Aly exposes a painful conundrum in the debate over antisemitism (' Segal's antisemitism plan takes us down a path we should fear to tread ', July 25). Considering the events in Gaza and the West Bank right now, it is to be expected that compassionate people will condemn unbearable cruelty. While we argue over whether criticism of Israel or Zionism is antisemitic or not, innocent men, women and children are dying every day in Gaza from weaponised starvation or being shot for approaching a food convoy. Israel controls the food shipments into Gaza, so Israel is responsible for the present catastrophe. Israel, not Jewish people in general. Just how does one object to these inhumane events without being called antisemitic? Bruce Spence, Balmain I defy anyone to remain dry-eyed after seeing the photo published with Waleed Aly's article – children holding saucepans forward in the hope of getting a little bit of food, but the look of resignation on their faces is heartbreaking. I had just answered a survey regarding the food that gets delivered to my door, do you mind, and the contrast hit hard. Please, powers that be, get food and water to the starving people of Gaza. Now. Pen Layton-Caisley, Marrickville Undeserved loyalty It could be argued that US Navy presidential appointee Jerry Hendrix is well wide of the mark when he claims that Australia is 'noticeably fickle' in its dealings with the mighty US of A (' WA shipyard 'can be base with US',' July 25). History shows that our country has been a remarkably reliable partner in the many military adventures in which America has been involved, from the forgotten Korean War right down to Vietnam and the disastrous invasion of Iraq. When the US wanted a loyal deputy for some of its rather questionable international activities, the Australians, among other minor powers, were there for them. To now deliver us a kick in the guts for possible disloyalty shows a huge lack of respect and abysmal ignorance. Derrick Mason, Boorowa Hard to swallow Have I got this right? The Nationals want 'an independent scientific panel' to assess the government's decision about importing beef from the US, but ignore all the other independent scientific panels that urge fast action on climate change. Please explain (' Will lifting US ban put more foreign meat on menus? ', July 25). Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown Having been born and raised in a California farming community, I have witnessed US beef production. Cattle are penned and grain fed. The conditions and smells are horrid. The animals are paralysed up to their chest in their own waste. It's offensive and inhumane. I'm not a vegetarian, but I believe that no animal deserves that kind of misery. As far as I'm concerned, there's little contest between US beef and Australian beef. Australian beef wins hands down – it's healthier, tastier, has less fat and the production is more humane. I don't like the idea of capitulating to a bully like Trump and I sure as hell won't be buying US beef, or dining where it is on the menu. Alph William, Red Rock Providing biosecurity safeguards on American meat are met, I doubt their meat will pose a threat to Australian suppliers. Having lived and worked in various parts of America, Australians will only buy American meat once, and regret that decision, as it falls a long way short of the quality and taste of Australian meat. My meat consumption declined whenever I was living there. As an added bonus, if we allow American meat into Australia and no one buys it, Donald Trump will go apoplectic, which is always fun to watch. Victor Marshall, Meander (Tas) Herald readers seem to have little regard for the decision to allow US beef into Australia (Letters, July 25). But looking at the decision from the federal government's position, it would be electoral poison to make the wrong decision given the consequences of getting it wrong, thus I see it as a well-considered move. I also believe the decision 'plays' Trump spectacularly, given his shallow knowledge of beef markets and how tariffs work. Phil Armour, Yass So American beef is finally entering our market. I won't buy it or anything else from America. If we all do the same the message will soon filter through to importers. Olga Stosic, Gordon Degrees of folly No one expects free university education, but the HECS system as it stands is seriously flawed (Letters, July 25). The problem lies with indexation of the debt every year. This makes paying it off almost impossible in a lifetime. Then there's the problem of the fee increase in some degrees to steer students towards STEM subjects. No wonder there is a teacher shortage when doing an arts degree costs so much more than other degrees. Why is this Morrison folly still in existence? Judith Rostron, Killarney Heights Why do we have to put a negative spin on everything? (' As bill to slash HECS debt edges closer, is it enough to ease pain? ' July 25). Instead of celebrating small steps, we criticise and undermine any change for not being big enough, or costing too much, or other perceived issues. No wonder our government is timid and slow to move ahead. Margaret Grove, Concord Fossil fools Thank heavens the NSW Court of Appeal has punctured the illusion that we should not care about carbon emissions from our coal and gas just because they get burnt overseas (' Court overturns massive coal mine approval ', July 25). Australia is the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels on the planet, yet we wash our hands of any responsibility for the emissions they cause. It's a bit like being one of the largest producers of heroin but denying responsibility for how people use it. Similarly, the ruling of the International Court of Justice holding fossil fuel producers liable for the consequences of climate change is another sign that we need to move away from our economic reliance on exporting coal and gas. It will come back and bite us. Neil Ormerod, Kingsgrove Political chameleon The 'Chameleon of Canberra', Scott Morrison, said he was appearing in a personal capacity at a US congressional hearing (' Morrison: Australians 'going to sleep' on China threat', July 25). No, he is now a defence industry lobbyist working mainly for US and UK interests. Australians may be accused of going to sleep on the China threat, but we have woken up to Morrison. Paul McShane, Burradoo Morrison is trying to wriggle out of responsibility for insinuating that a Chinese laboratory was responsible for COVID, which led to the disastrous bans on our products. The truth is that Morrison got us into that mess and it has taken Anthony Albanese's skilled diplomacy to restore relations with our biggest trading partner. Morrison should have the decency to acknowledge that. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer Voting changes Perhaps a fair voting solution for the troubling ages of 16-17 and 85-plus is to allow both to only opt in if they wish to vote. The elderly could be spared a chore they are no longer inspired by, or capable of, and only the politically committed youth will bother. Allan Kreuiter, Roseville Seditious content Sally Spurr is a well-travelled, regular Herald correspondent. I am perplexed as to why, having successfully negotiated US immigration, she would be nervous about going through customs (Letters, July 25). What was she carrying? The Herald? Ross Drynan, Lindfield
AU Financial Review
14 minutes ago
- AU Financial Review
PM says starving children in Gaza ‘beyond world's worst fears'
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has not ruled out recognising Palestinian statehood at the United Nations' gathering in September after French President Emmanuel Macron declared he would become the first leader of a major western country to do so in a bid to revive the Middle East peace process. Macron's surprise unilateral announcement spurred Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to issue his strongest denunciation of Israel's war against terror group Hamas, saying 'Gaza has gone beyond the world's worst fears'.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'Children starving': Israel condemned over aid denial
Australians are distressed by the images of children starving as a "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza worsens, Foreign Minister Penny Wong says. The comments followed a strongly-worded statement from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who said the situation in Gaza, where vision of emaciated children has become the norm as Israel denies aid to civilians, had "gone beyond the world's worst fears". The escalation in rhetoric has added intrigue as to whether Australia will follow France's lead in recognising Palestine. Asked about Australia's intentions for a UN General Assembly in September, Senator Wong would not rule out support for statehood. "We all are distressed by the ongoing violence, the deaths of so many innocent civilians, the images of children starving, the humanitarian catastrophe that is worsening before our eyes, and we all want it to stop," she told reporters in Sydney on Friday. The prime minister earlier urged Israel to comply with its obligations under international law. "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. "Every innocent life matters. Every Israeli. Every Palestinian." Mr Albanese stopped short of saying Australia would immediately join France in recognising Palestinian statehood after the European nation became the largest Western power to signal it would make the announcement. Mr Albanese instead said recognising the "legitimate aspirations of Palestinian people for a state of their own" was a bipartisan position. "Australia is committed to a future where both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can live in peace and safety, within internationally recognised borders," he said. "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." Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, have collapsed after Israel and the US withdrew from talks. With aid being throttled at the border and all entry points to Gaza controlled by Israel, former USAID official Jeremy Konyndyk said Australia and the other nations must do more as the situation in Gaza was "purely a political famine". "Nothing about this is natural or organic - it's 100 per cent man-made," the Refugees International president told ABC Radio. "We are at - if not past - a tipping point." The Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which began operations in May, has been accused of obstructing operations by the United Nations and other aid groups, and putting starving Palestinians in danger. According to Mr Konyndyk, its aid packages were small and insufficient and the foundation's facilities were located far from population centres. "The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is a farce," he said. Israel, which began letting in only a trickle of supplies to Gaza in recent months, has previously blamed Hamas for disrupting food distribution and accused it of using stolen aid to fund its war effort. While the coalition said it had "strong concerns" about the worsening humanitarian situation, opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said it was disappointing Mr Albanese's statement did not place any blame on Hamas. "Any moral outrage about the situation in Gaza should be directed at Hamas," she said. Israel has enforced a complete embargo on humanitarian aid and medical supplies for almost three months after a ceasefire deal broke down earlier in 2025. In recent months, more than 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid, many of them shot by the Israeli military, UN sources have found. Israel's military offensive has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza. Its military campaign was launched after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages. Mr Albanese also condemned the "terror and brutality" of Hamas and repeated calls for the release of the remaining hostages. Australians are distressed by the images of children starving as a "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza worsens, Foreign Minister Penny Wong says. The comments followed a strongly-worded statement from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who said the situation in Gaza, where vision of emaciated children has become the norm as Israel denies aid to civilians, had "gone beyond the world's worst fears". The escalation in rhetoric has added intrigue as to whether Australia will follow France's lead in recognising Palestine. Asked about Australia's intentions for a UN General Assembly in September, Senator Wong would not rule out support for statehood. "We all are distressed by the ongoing violence, the deaths of so many innocent civilians, the images of children starving, the humanitarian catastrophe that is worsening before our eyes, and we all want it to stop," she told reporters in Sydney on Friday. The prime minister earlier urged Israel to comply with its obligations under international law. "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. "Every innocent life matters. Every Israeli. Every Palestinian." Mr Albanese stopped short of saying Australia would immediately join France in recognising Palestinian statehood after the European nation became the largest Western power to signal it would make the announcement. Mr Albanese instead said recognising the "legitimate aspirations of Palestinian people for a state of their own" was a bipartisan position. "Australia is committed to a future where both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can live in peace and safety, within internationally recognised borders," he said. "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." Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, have collapsed after Israel and the US withdrew from talks. With aid being throttled at the border and all entry points to Gaza controlled by Israel, former USAID official Jeremy Konyndyk said Australia and the other nations must do more as the situation in Gaza was "purely a political famine". "Nothing about this is natural or organic - it's 100 per cent man-made," the Refugees International president told ABC Radio. "We are at - if not past - a tipping point." The Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which began operations in May, has been accused of obstructing operations by the United Nations and other aid groups, and putting starving Palestinians in danger. According to Mr Konyndyk, its aid packages were small and insufficient and the foundation's facilities were located far from population centres. "The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is a farce," he said. Israel, which began letting in only a trickle of supplies to Gaza in recent months, has previously blamed Hamas for disrupting food distribution and accused it of using stolen aid to fund its war effort. While the coalition said it had "strong concerns" about the worsening humanitarian situation, opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said it was disappointing Mr Albanese's statement did not place any blame on Hamas. "Any moral outrage about the situation in Gaza should be directed at Hamas," she said. Israel has enforced a complete embargo on humanitarian aid and medical supplies for almost three months after a ceasefire deal broke down earlier in 2025. In recent months, more than 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid, many of them shot by the Israeli military, UN sources have found. Israel's military offensive has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza. Its military campaign was launched after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages. Mr Albanese also condemned the "terror and brutality" of Hamas and repeated calls for the release of the remaining hostages. Australians are distressed by the images of children starving as a "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza worsens, Foreign Minister Penny Wong says. The comments followed a strongly-worded statement from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who said the situation in Gaza, where vision of emaciated children has become the norm as Israel denies aid to civilians, had "gone beyond the world's worst fears". The escalation in rhetoric has added intrigue as to whether Australia will follow France's lead in recognising Palestine. Asked about Australia's intentions for a UN General Assembly in September, Senator Wong would not rule out support for statehood. "We all are distressed by the ongoing violence, the deaths of so many innocent civilians, the images of children starving, the humanitarian catastrophe that is worsening before our eyes, and we all want it to stop," she told reporters in Sydney on Friday. The prime minister earlier urged Israel to comply with its obligations under international law. "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. "Every innocent life matters. Every Israeli. Every Palestinian." Mr Albanese stopped short of saying Australia would immediately join France in recognising Palestinian statehood after the European nation became the largest Western power to signal it would make the announcement. Mr Albanese instead said recognising the "legitimate aspirations of Palestinian people for a state of their own" was a bipartisan position. "Australia is committed to a future where both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can live in peace and safety, within internationally recognised borders," he said. "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." Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, have collapsed after Israel and the US withdrew from talks. With aid being throttled at the border and all entry points to Gaza controlled by Israel, former USAID official Jeremy Konyndyk said Australia and the other nations must do more as the situation in Gaza was "purely a political famine". "Nothing about this is natural or organic - it's 100 per cent man-made," the Refugees International president told ABC Radio. "We are at - if not past - a tipping point." The Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which began operations in May, has been accused of obstructing operations by the United Nations and other aid groups, and putting starving Palestinians in danger. According to Mr Konyndyk, its aid packages were small and insufficient and the foundation's facilities were located far from population centres. "The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is a farce," he said. Israel, which began letting in only a trickle of supplies to Gaza in recent months, has previously blamed Hamas for disrupting food distribution and accused it of using stolen aid to fund its war effort. While the coalition said it had "strong concerns" about the worsening humanitarian situation, opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said it was disappointing Mr Albanese's statement did not place any blame on Hamas. "Any moral outrage about the situation in Gaza should be directed at Hamas," she said. Israel has enforced a complete embargo on humanitarian aid and medical supplies for almost three months after a ceasefire deal broke down earlier in 2025. In recent months, more than 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid, many of them shot by the Israeli military, UN sources have found. Israel's military offensive has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza. Its military campaign was launched after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages. Mr Albanese also condemned the "terror and brutality" of Hamas and repeated calls for the release of the remaining hostages. Australians are distressed by the images of children starving as a "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza worsens, Foreign Minister Penny Wong says. The comments followed a strongly-worded statement from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who said the situation in Gaza, where vision of emaciated children has become the norm as Israel denies aid to civilians, had "gone beyond the world's worst fears". The escalation in rhetoric has added intrigue as to whether Australia will follow France's lead in recognising Palestine. Asked about Australia's intentions for a UN General Assembly in September, Senator Wong would not rule out support for statehood. "We all are distressed by the ongoing violence, the deaths of so many innocent civilians, the images of children starving, the humanitarian catastrophe that is worsening before our eyes, and we all want it to stop," she told reporters in Sydney on Friday. The prime minister earlier urged Israel to comply with its obligations under international law. "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. "Every innocent life matters. Every Israeli. Every Palestinian." Mr Albanese stopped short of saying Australia would immediately join France in recognising Palestinian statehood after the European nation became the largest Western power to signal it would make the announcement. Mr Albanese instead said recognising the "legitimate aspirations of Palestinian people for a state of their own" was a bipartisan position. "Australia is committed to a future where both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can live in peace and safety, within internationally recognised borders," he said. "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." Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, have collapsed after Israel and the US withdrew from talks. With aid being throttled at the border and all entry points to Gaza controlled by Israel, former USAID official Jeremy Konyndyk said Australia and the other nations must do more as the situation in Gaza was "purely a political famine". "Nothing about this is natural or organic - it's 100 per cent man-made," the Refugees International president told ABC Radio. "We are at - if not past - a tipping point." The Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which began operations in May, has been accused of obstructing operations by the United Nations and other aid groups, and putting starving Palestinians in danger. According to Mr Konyndyk, its aid packages were small and insufficient and the foundation's facilities were located far from population centres. "The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is a farce," he said. Israel, which began letting in only a trickle of supplies to Gaza in recent months, has previously blamed Hamas for disrupting food distribution and accused it of using stolen aid to fund its war effort. While the coalition said it had "strong concerns" about the worsening humanitarian situation, opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said it was disappointing Mr Albanese's statement did not place any blame on Hamas. "Any moral outrage about the situation in Gaza should be directed at Hamas," she said. Israel has enforced a complete embargo on humanitarian aid and medical supplies for almost three months after a ceasefire deal broke down earlier in 2025. In recent months, more than 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid, many of them shot by the Israeli military, UN sources have found. Israel's military offensive has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza. Its military campaign was launched after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages. Mr Albanese also condemned the "terror and brutality" of Hamas and repeated calls for the release of the remaining hostages.
