Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has refused to back down from her demands for an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid in Gaza, despite facing criticism from Israel. Wong called for the release of hostages held by Hamas and highlighted the dire humanitarian situation.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has persisted with Australia’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza , despite a scathing phone call from Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar.and appeared to reject Australia’s demand for further humanitarian aid to Gaza . Ms Wong has since doubled down on Australia’s demands for an immediate ceasefire and increase of humanitarian aid into Gaza . She has also called for Hamas to release the more than 100 hostages currently being held by the terrorist organisation.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia hopes there will be a ceasefire soon. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman During a press conference on Wednesday night, Ms Wong addressed the recent criticism from Israel’s Foreign Minister but refused to compromise her position. “Australia… and many other countries, have been calling for a ceasefire for the release of hostages and for the provision of aid into Gaza,” she told reporters. “That is the position we have been articulating and that's the position that I reflected to the Israeli Foreign Minister. “We hope there will be a ceasefire soon, which enables the release of hostages and aid to flow into Gaza because we know that the humanitarian catastrophe is so great.” The war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas killing some 1,200 people and abducting more than 250 as hostages, has sent shockwaves across the Middle East. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, Israel's campaign has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, displaced most of the 2.3 million population and reduced much of the coastal enclave to ruins. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government have been left isolated by the war as the Albanese government distanced itself from Israel. Mr Netanyahu has publicly criticised Australia, accusing the Albanese government of adopting an “extreme anti-Israel position”. Following the rebuke, Israel’s Foreign Minister called Ms Wong to similarly express his frustration
GAZA CEASEFIRE HUMANITARIAN AID Hamas AUSTRALIA
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