Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Minister, you've said that the State of Israel must exercise restraint and protect civilian lives in Gaza and must comply with international humanitarian law. It's estimated that over 70 per cent of the more than 16,000 people killed in Gaza have been women, children and the elderly. Overnight, the UN Secretary-General urged members of the Security Council to press for a humanitarian ceasefire to avert a humanitarian catastrophe, saying:

Amid constant bombardment by the Israel Defense Forces … I expect public order to completely break down soon … rendering even limited humanitarian assistance impossible.

The UN human rights chief has warned of a heightened risk of atrocity crimes. Minister, will Australia join the call of the UN and aid organisations for an immediate and permanent humanitarian ceasefire?