Published: 10 April 2024
Last updated: 10 April 2024
On October 7, Israel was brutally attacked by Hamas.
The greatest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust.
Hamas killed 1,200 people, including Australian grandmother Galit Carbone - and continues to hold 134 hostages.
Australia remains steadfast in our call for the immediate and unconditional release of remaining hostages – families of whom I have met both in Israel and Australia.
Any country under attack by Hamas would defend itself.
And in defending itself, every country is bound by the same fundamental rules.
Israel must comply with international humanitarian law.
It must make major and immediate changes to the conduct of its military campaign, to protect civilians, journalists and aid workers.
It must comply with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice, including to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale.
Six months on from October 7, well over one million Palestinians in Gaza are at risk of starvation.
More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed, including many thousands of women and children.
196 aid workers have been killed, including Australian Zomi Frankcom.
Hamas is a terrorist organisation. It is proscribed as such in Australia. It has no respect for international law.
Democracies seek and accept higher standards.
