‘A Slaughter of Innocent People’: Australia Pays Tribute to Lives Lost in Israeli-Hamas Conflict

Smoke rises from buildings, viewed from the Israeli side of the border, as the Israeli military conducts a bombardment in northern Gaza on Oct. 15, 2023. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Politicians on both sides have reflected on the tragic loss of lives in the Israel-Hamas conflict during moving speeches in Parliament on Monday.

The tributes follow Hamas terrorists launching an attack on Israel nine days ago, murdering at least 1,300 Israelis and abducting women and children.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese moved a motion on the Hamas Attacks on Israel and ongoing conflict in Parliament on Oct. 16.

All members of Parliament in the chamber stood up in silence as a mark of respect for the memory of the deceased.

Speaking on the conflict, Mr. Albanese said the evil committed by Hamas in Israel has chilled every Australian heart.

“We must face what has happened, and what is now unfolding with complete moral clarity,” he told Parliament.

“Hamas terrorists committed mass murder on a horrific scale. Jewish families here and across the world are mourning the greatest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust. This was no act of war against the army of an enemy. It was a slaughter of innocent people. It was an act of terror.

“We must call these atrocities for what they are, we must condemn them together, and today this motion does just that.”

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton described the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 as “a total act of sheer barbarity.”

“The images, the shocking betrayal, interpretation of what took place, means that no longer can the sympathisers of these murderous terrorists call them freedom fighters,” Mr. Dutton said.

“No longer can the apologists of this dead cult claim they have a just and noble cause. What occurred nine days ago was the embodiment of evil. And the abhorrent acts of Hamas’ inhumanity have been evident for the world to see.

Reflecting on the actions of Hamas, Mr. Dutton said the terrorist group had “no desire for a two state solution, its actions were just designed to derail the peace process,” adding that they wanted to “remove Israel off the map, drive people of Jewish faith into the sea.”

“The Coalition joins with every other person of decent humanity in condemning this attack by militant Hamas, militants on Israel,” Mr. Dutton added.

The Senate, Australia’s upper house, is also paying tribute to those who have lost their lives. Both houses of Parliament are sitting from Oct. 16-19.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during question time in the House of Representatives in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 6, 2023. Martin Ollman/Getty Images

Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton speaks to the media during a press conference at Brisbane Airport in Brisbane, Australia on Aug. 30, 2023. AAP Image/Darren England

Richard Marles Reflects

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles condemned Hamas in the strongest possible words. While he expressed support for Israel, he also reflected on the Palestinian people and called for the rules of war to be respected.

“Today we stand with Israel and its people. Israel is a Liberal democracy. We weep for the more than 1,400 Israelis who have lost their lives,” Mr. Marles said.

“We also weep for innocent Palestinians. There are more than two million Palestinians who live in Gaza, and the bulk of them have nothing to do with Hamas.

“Australia stands with Israel, but we add our voice to the international calls that the rules of war by respected.”

Deputy PM and Minister of Defence Richard Marles during Question Time in the House of Representatives in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 6, 2023. Martin Ollman/Getty Images

Humanitarian Assistance to Gaza

Meanwhile, the federal government today announced it will be be providing $10 million (US$6.3 million) of humanitarian assistance to “civilians affected by the conflict in Gaza.”

The funding will include $3 million for the International Committee of the Red Cross. This will go towards urgent assistance including medical support to conflict victims and restoring essential services.

Further, Australia plans to provide $7 million via United Nations agencies for emergency water, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene services, and child protection.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Penny Wong, also reflected on both Israel and Palestine and said Australia joins U.S. President Joe Biden and others in the call for Israel to operate by the rules of war.

“We have seen devastating loss of innocent life since the heinous attacks on Israel by brutal terrorist group Hamas,” Ms. Wong said.

“Far from representing the Palestinian people, Hamas undermines Palestinian needs and aspirations. We continue to call for the unconditional release of all hostages. We stand with Israel and reiterate its right to defend itself.

“President Biden has called on Israel to operate by the rules of war in its response to Hamas attacks—we join him and others in that call.”

Australians Return From Israel

Last night, more than 250 Australians left Tel Aviv for Dubai on three flights, Ms. Wong confirmed today.

This included two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) flights and one charter plane. Ms. Wong thanked the Foreign Affairs department and Australian Defence Force.

In total, 1,200 Australians have been able to depart Israel at the time of writing. The government is still working to assist Australians in Gaza.

Ms. Wong said this is a difficult and frightening situation and the government is working with international nations including the United States and Egypt.

In the U.S., President Biden spoke to family members of unaccounted Americans in a zoom call. More than 27 Americans have lost their lives in the conflict at this stage.

In a phone call last week with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Biden discussed about how “democracies like Israel and the United States are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law.”