Australia joins coalition of countries accusing Israel of politicising aid to Gaza

Tuesday, 20 May 2025 16:22

A group of 23 countries have condemned Israel for its blockade and politicising aid to Gaza.

Australia has joined 22 other countries in accusing Israel of politicising humanitarian aid to Gaza and calling for the full resumption of essential resources to the stricken enclave.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday announced he would allow "a basic amount of food" to enter Gaza following a two-month-long blockade of all food, fuel and medicines.

He said the decision came at the recommendation of the Israeli Defence Forces and in support of expanded ground operations in Gaza.

The United Nations confirmed it has been approached by Israel to resume limited aid deliveries but raised concerns over the planned offensive.

"I emphasise the United Nations will not participate in any operation that doesn't adhere to international law and humanitarian principles — humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality," UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has penned a joint statement with her counterparts in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The coalition of countries condemned Israel for its blockade and politicising aid to Gaza.

"Humanitarian principles matter for every conflict around the world and should be applied consistently in every warzone," the statement read.

"The UN has raised concerns that the proposed model cannot deliver aid effectively, at the speed and scale required.

"It places beneficiaries and aid workers at risk, undermines the role and independence of the UN and our trusted partners, and links humanitarian aid to political and military objectives.

"Humanitarian aid should never be politicised, and Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change."

Australia and its partners called on Israel to allow aid to fully return to Gaza, where they said the population faces starvation and is in desperate need.

Displaced Palestinians flee from Khan Younis, Gaza, amid the ongoing Israeli military offensive in the area, on Monday, May 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

"As humanitarian donors, we have two straightforward messages for the Government of Israel: allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity," the statement read.

"We remain committed to meeting the acute needs we see in Gaza."

The countries also demanded that Hamas immediately release all remaining hostages and allow humanitarian aid to be delivered without interference.

The statement ended with a call for a ceasefire and a two-state solution.

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