‘The Population Faces Starvation': Australia Joins Calls for More Aid to Gaza
Despite Israel agreeing to more aid for Gaza in recent days, Australia and other foreign countries believe it is not enough.
'The population faces starvation. Gaza's people must receive the aid they desperately need,' the joint statement from Wong and her foreign counterparts said.
'Whilst we acknowledge indications of a limited restart of aid, Israel blocked humanitarian aid entering Gaza for over two months. Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted.'
This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to provide a 'basic quantity' of food to Gaza and 'minimal assistance' to stop a humanitarian crisis while their military operations continue.
Supporting the statement were the foreign ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. Several high-ranking EU officials also signed off on the call for action.
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The statement said Israel's security cabinet had reportedly approved a new model for delivering aid into Gaza, which the 'U.N. and our humanitarian partners cannot support.'
'They are clear that they will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles. Humanitarian principles matter for every conflict around the world and should be applied consistently in every warzone,' the statement
'Prior to the aid block, the U.N. and humanitarian NGOs delivered aid into Gaza, working with great courage, at the risk of their lives and in the face of major access challenges imposed by Israel.'
The signees of the statement said they were humanitarian donors who had two straightforward messages for the Israeli government.
'Allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately and enable the U.N. and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering, and maintain dignity,' they said.
The countries also still support a two-state solution.
'It is our firm conviction that an immediate return to a ceasefire and working towards the implementation of a two-state solution are the only way to bring peace and security to Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long-term stability for the whole region,' the statement said.
Pro-Palestine activist group Free Palestine Melbourne called for the Albanese government to 'massively increase humanitarian aid to Gaza in a Facebook post on May 20.
The group also demanded that the Albanese government 'break all ties with Israel' and 'commit to arresting Netanyahu if he visits.'
However, the Australian Jewish Association took issue with the joint statement and accused Wong of yet another 'anti-Israel slander' in a post to X.
What's Going on in Gaza?
Netanyahu offered to allow food aid into Gaza following initial pressure from some of Israel's closest allies.
In a video posted to X, Netanyahu explained Israel's
'Therefore, to achieve victory, we need to somehow solve the problem,' Netanyahu said.
In a statement, Netanyahu's office added, 'At the recommendation of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), and out of the operational need to enable the expansion of intense fighting to defeat Hamas, Israel will allow a basic amount of food for the population to ensure that a hunger crisis does not develop in the Gaza Strip.'
Israel started a massive military campaign on May 17 aimed at securing the release of the Israeli hostages, controlling Gaza and defeating Hamas.
This follows an ongoing conflict that heated up on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel.
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