Pro-Palestinian protesters have taken to the streets after more than 100 Palestinians were killed while trying to secure food as Australia flags more humanitarian aid.
About 120 Palestinians were killed as they tried to access humanitarian resources from an aid convoy, the local Hamas health authority said, attributing the deaths to Israeli gunfire.
Israel blamed the deaths on a rush of people swarming aid trucks and said troops had fired “a limited response” on crowds they thought posed a threat.
Everyone in #Gaza is hungry.
WFP food parcels are designed to provide families with ready-to-eat, nutritionally-dense foods, no cooking required.
WFP reached over 1.3 million people in February but WFP and partners urgently need more access to reach all those in need.
— World Food Programme (@WFP) March 2, 2024
The Zionist Federation of Australia warned misinformation would stoke division at home, saying troops only used deadly fire when they feared for their lives in accordance with international law.
The General Delegation of Palestine to Australia condemned the incident, and pointed to comments from the head nurse at the al-Shifa hospital that the majority of victims had gunshot and shrapnel wounds.
The delegation called on Australia and the international community to take swift and concrete action to protect Palestinian civilians.
The incident drew international condemnation and prompted Australian foreign minister, Penny Wong, to express “horror” at the events and the humanitarian crisis that led to it.
Her department was directed to convey Australia’s response directly to the Israeli ambassador.
It underscored why Australia had been calling for a humanitarian ceasefire for months, she said, as she flagged another urgent aid package “in coming days”.
The United States has started airdropping aid.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Sydney on Sunday to demand a ceasefire in the besieged strip, where more than 30,000 people have been killed after Israel responded to Hamas’ attack, according to the local health ministry.
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A separate pro-Israel rally against antisemitism which called for the release of the remaining hostages taken by Hamas took place in Adelaide.
About 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage when Hamas – designated a terrorist group by the Australian government – attacked on 7 October, according to Tel Aviv.
The Australian Centre for International Justice and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights are calling on the government to cancel any visa issued to former Israeli Army major-general Doron Almog over his involvement in Gaza between 2001 and 2003.
The organisations have written to the immigration and foreign affairs ministers to say he does not meet the character test required for a visa.
Almog is in Australia as part of the United Israel Appeal campaign to raise money for victims of terror.
Members of the Jewish community said he was considered a hero in Israel and pointed to him having several family members killed or taken hostage during the 7 October attack.
