Australia, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom urged Israel on Monday to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. The four nations described the situation on the ground as dire.
The foreign ministers released a joint statement calling on Israel to permit 150,000 tents and other vital supplies stuck at the border to enter Gaza ahead of winter. Recent floods have brought suffering, and this was only the first storm of the winter. People in Gaza desperately need shelter and humanitarian assistance.
The ministers stated that the situation is entirely reversible. They urged the Israeli government to stop delays and allow immediate, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza.
The crossings must be opened, and the tents allowed in, according to the statement. Dual-use items necessary for humanitarian operations and early recovery must be granted entry.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza have been left in waterlogged and damaged tents following deadly storms over the past week. Thousands more are without shelter, while sanitation infrastructure has also been destroyed.
At least four Palestinian children and women were killed as heavy rains and wind battered fragile, leaky tents.
Australian cabinet minister Madeleine King told ABC radio on Monday that the four nations had worked on the statement. She said the group collaborated to ensure people affected by the war in the Middle East receive the assistance they need, with a focus on delivering humanitarian aid.
David Shoebridge, Australia’s Greens leader and foreign affairs spokesperson, said harsh words from the government would do little. He argued the government should take more concrete action.
Shoebridge said the Israeli government has not responded to harsh words before and will not now. He called for material action, including sanctions on the war cabinet, ending the two-way arms trade and implementing sanctions on illegal settlements as other nations have done.
Shoebridge said Australia previously refused to join commitments by allies including the UK calling for import bans on trade from illegal Israeli settlements, stating that Australia disappeared when it came to a statement committing to material action.
The foreign ministers urged all parties to implement the comprehensive plan for Gaza, respect the ceasefire and their obligations under international humanitarian law, and allow aid to reach the people who need it.
