Australia urges Israel to end suffering as babies in Gaza face starvation

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged Israel to stop the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, warning that thousands of babies face death if food and medical aid remain blocked.

“The Israeli Government cannot allow the suffering to continue,” Wong said in a post on X, echoing the UN’s dire warning that famine could soon claim the lives of infants.

She added that “Australia joins international partners in calling on Israel to allow a full and immediate resumption of aid to Gaza,” and condemned “the abhorrent and outrageous comments made by members of the Netanyahu Government about these people in crisis.”

Unlike the UK, France and Canada, however, Australia has not announced any concrete steps to pressure Israel into action - raising questions about the strength of its response as Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe deepens.