Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas about the need to protect civilians in Gaza.
Mr. Albanese, in the Cook Islands for the Pacific Islands Forum, told Mr. Abbas of the need to uphold international law and reaffirmed Australia’s support for a two-state solution.
On its website, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Mr. Abbas told Mr. Albanese that “a genocide” was happening in Gaza and it had to stop immediately.
He said it was vital that relief aid be brought to the Gaza Strip immediately, too.
Further, he reaffirmed preventing the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, including Jerusalem.
He added it was necessary for a political solution where Palestinians could achieve independence and sovereignty, rejecting the acceptance of Israeli occupation.
Palestinians fleeing north Gaza walk towards the south in the central Gaza Strip on Nov. 9, 2023. Mohammed Salem/Reuters
It comes after Mr. Albanese also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a phone call earlier this month.
It is understood Mr. Netanyahu updated Mr. Albanese about the Israeli Defence Force’s (IDF) operation in the Gaza Strip.
At the end of October, Mr. Albanese also spoke with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog.
The Israeli government formally declared war against the terrorist group Hamas following a deadly coordinated strike against Israeli civilians on Oct. 7 that resulted in 1,400 deaths, according to Israeli forces.
Since then, Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 10,812 Palestinians, including 4,412 children, according to the health ministry in Gaza. The IDF killed 18 Palestinians and injured at least 20 others during a raid on Jenin city and its refugee camp in the West Bank on Nov. 9.
Meanwhile, Israeli attacks have killed at least 178 Palestinians in the West Bank area, according to figures from the Palestinian health ministry.
Ceasefire Could Allow Hamas To ‘Regroup’
Mr. Albanese’s concern over civilian deaths echoed Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s saying “violence against civilians needs to be ended.”“And it’s not good for Israel’s security either to have violence against Palestinian civilians on the West Bank,” Ms. Wong said.
Despite concern from leaders about the ongoing loss of life, Australia, among 45 countries other countries, abstained from voting for a ceasefire because the motion did not directly condemn Hamas for the Oct. 7 attacks.
“Australia felt it could not vote for the resolution,” Ms. Wong said.
Instead, she called for a humanitarian pause, recognising Israel’s right to defend itself within the rules of international law.
However, former Prime Minister Scott Morrison told SBS News a pause could allow Hamas to take control.
“Do we allow a pause in a ceasefire to allow Hamas to regroup?” he asked.
“I mean, this is the play from Hamas, and we’ve got to be careful not to be suckered into it,” he said.
Senator Simon Birmingham was also onboard with suppressing the power of Hamas.
“The quickest way for this war to end and for peace to be achieved would be for Hamas to surrender, for Hamas to release the hostages, for Hamas to hand over the leadership, the weapons, the terrorist capabilities that enabled it to launch the attack in the first place,” Mr. Birmingham said.
However, he said it would be a challenge to see Hamas removed as quickly and effectively as possible.
“We want to see that happen as quickly as possible so that hopefully we can see a stabilisation and ultimately longer-term peace discussions between Israel and Palestinians to establish a viable, peaceful outcome for the future,” he says.
A woman carries a child as Palestinians fleeing north Gaza walk towards the south in the central Gaza Strip, on Nov. 9, 2023. Mohammed Salem/Reuters
‘Government Inaction,’ Leaders Say
Meanwhile, support for Palestine has come from some quarters.The Australian Greens walked out of the Senate on Oct. 6 in reaction to the government’s actions.
Meanwhile, the Refugee Council of Australia wrote a letter to the government, asking it to intervene to end the loss of life.
“The Australian government should do all in its power to work towards the preservation of life and a peaceful resolution to prevent the very serious threat of an even greater humanitarian catastrophe,” the letter said.
It said the escalation of conflict and the possibility of further displacement must be met with an intense “human rights-based and humanitarian response, with significant injection of humanitarian funding desperately needed.”
