The Coalition is demanding Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “produce the facts”, challenging his assertion that Israel has “clearly” breached international law by blocking aid into Gaza.
Speaking on ABC Radio National, Coalition frontbencher Dan Tehan said the prime minister had made a heavy accusation.Â
“That allegation should not be made lightly,” Mr Tehan said.
“Obviously, Israel are trying to provide humanitarian relief into Gaza, Hamas keeps on trying to disrupt those efforts. Now what the prime minister has said takes this whole situation to a new level.”
Yesterday, Mr Albanese said it was “quite clearly” a breach of international law to stop food from being delivered, a decision he said Israel made in March.
Israel announces ‘pause’ to fighting in parts of Gaza as aid drops resume
Israel imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid in March that ran for several months, as it tried to pressure Hamas to release Israeli hostages.
That blockade was partially eased as Israel instead developed its own private aid delivery model, bypassing established UN channels.Â
Last week more than 100 international humanitarian organisations, including Médecins Sans Frontières, Oxfam and Save the Children jointly warned Gaza was on the brink of “mass starvation”, with not enough aid getting to Palestinians.
Israel has consistently rejected allegations it has fuelled a hunger crisis in Gaza, instead blaming Hamas and claiming the listed terror group has weaponised humanitarian aid to supply its fighters.
Under intense global pressure, Israel announced overnight it would pause fighting in some densely populated areas to allow more aid drops.
But the Israeli embassy maintained in a briefing with journalists that reports of starvation were a false campaign led by Hamas, and that the issue was not a lack of aid entering Gaza but that Hamas was taking that aid to serve its own needs.
“Everything that we are following, because we are monitoring the situation in the Gaza strip, we don’t see a a starvation or famine situation in the Gaza strip,” deputy ambassador Amir Meron said.
Mr Tehan said Israel had been trying to provide relief in a way that Hamas could not capitalise on.
“They have been attempting to do that for months because they know and understand [that] while Hamas is in control in Gaza, it will not lead to the humanitarian situation we all want to see, which is aid flowing there and ultimately the people of Gaza being able to determine who governs them in a free and fair way,” Mr Tehan said.
“The problem all along has been an internationally listed terrorist organisation, Hamas. If Hamas removed themselves from this process, we would not be in the situation we are in today.”
Mr Tehan said he wanted to see humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza, but until Hamas was removed, “unfortunately” the use of aid would be weaponised and that was not in anyone’s interest.
“If Hamas had not acted like they did on October 7 [2023], we wouldn’t have this situation. They stand condemned and, in my view, they are the sole responsible actor here for the situation we find ourselves in,” Mr Tehan said.
Wong says there are ‘challenges’ to overcome before Palestinian recognition happens
Labor luminary says PM could move now to recognise PalestineÂ
Yesterday, Mr Albanese stopped short of saying whether Australia would take further action to pressure Israel to end what he said were breaches of international law.
The prime minister confirmed Australia would not follow France to immediately recognise a Palestinian state, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong telling the ABC that there were still several hurdles to a two-state solution.
The senator said Hamas must be de-militarised and Israeli hostages released before discussions to recognise Palestine could be progressed.
Former foreign minister and Labor luminary Bob Carr told ABC Radio National it was clear from the prime minister’s comments that recognition from Australia was “a matter of time”.
But he said the prime minister should not wait for the United Kingdom to move before acting.
“I think that is very unfortunate if we see ourselves as a strong, creative middle power,” Mr Carr said.
“It would strengthen the impression of Australia as a country that can do things big and important … I just think Australians are ready for our country to show a flash of independence, strength and maturity by moving with the French, and not huddling and waiting for the sanction that Britain would give us when Downing Street finally gets around to it.”
Labor backbencher Ed Husic said now was the time to recognise Palestine.
“I understand the logic that has been expressed by our government that it should be part of a [peace] process, but the reality is events have changed, particularly over the last 20 months,” Mr Husic told Sky News.
“I believe this is a strong opportunity for us, given we have taken [the commitment] to two federal elections.”
Twenty-eight nations, including Australia, last week demanded an immediate end to the war in Gaza and for Israel to lift aid restrictions.
Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash said last week the Coalition had “strong concerns” about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but was disappointed that the prime minister had failed to place blame on Hamas for the delays in aid reaching Gaza.
“Hamas could end the suffering of the people of Gaza by freeing the remaining Israeli hostages and laying down their weapons,” Senator Cash said.