Australia and allies demand Israel allow aid into Gaza
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The news: Foreign ministers of Australia, Britain, Canada and several European nations have called on Israel to take “immediate, permanent and concrete steps” to allow aid into the enclave to address “unimaginable levels” of suffering.
The context: In a joint statement published on Tuesday, Australia and 26 nations said that urgent action is needed to halt and reverse starvation in Gaza.
"We call on the government of Israel to provide authorisation for all international NGO aid shipments and to unblock essential humanitarian actors from operating," the statement signed by Penny Wong states.
The statement says that all crossings and routes must be used to allow a “flood of aid” into Gaza, including food, nutrition supplies, shelter, fuel, clean water, medicine and medical equipment. It continues that lethal force must not be used at distribution sites, and civilians, humanitarians and medical workers must be protected.
“We are grateful to the US, Qatar and Egypt for their efforts in pushing for a ceasefire and pursuing peace”, the statement adds.
Germany and Hungary were among a handful of EU member nations that did not sign the statement.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday announced that Australia will recognise a Palestinian state at next month’s United Nations General Assembly.
The source: Joint statement on Gaza
