16 January 2024, The Australian, Editorial: Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s Middle East trip should be an indication that the Albanese government finally has understood the imperative of doing what Australia’s key allies did weeks ago when they rushed special envoys to Israel following Hamas’s barbaric October 7 massacre of Jews. But it would be wrong to be overly optimistic about any real change of attitude in view of Senator Wong’s controversial decision not to visit the sites of the attacks in southern Israel.
Read MoreUN deplores Israel’s refusal to grant access to Gaza
The United Nations humanitarian office says Israeli authorities are systematically denying it access to northern Gaza to deliver aid and this had significantly hindered the humanitarian operation there. “The operations in the north have become increasingly more complicated,” said Andrea De Domenico, head of office for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs […]
Read MoreA Deal to Help Hamas Hostages
14 January 2024, Sunday Telegraph: Gaza: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said yesterday a deal had been negotiated with Qatar to get medicines through to hostages still being held in Gaza.
Read MoreStrikes Cut Gaza Internet
14 January 2024, Herald-Sun: Gaza Strip: Telecommunication services have been cut across besieged Gaza, as Israeli strikes killed dozens in southern cities where hundreds of thousands are struggling to survive hunger and cold on day 98 of the war between Israel and Hamas.
Read MoreGenocide claims grossly distorted, says Israel
14 January 2024, The Age/ Reuters, AP, by Anthony Deutsch: Israel has rejected as ‘‘a grossly distorted story’’ accusations brought by South Africa at the United Nations’ top court that its military operation in Gaza is a genocide campaign aimed at wiping out the Palestinian population.
Read MoreThe brutality and inhumanity of Israel’s assault on Gaza is no surprise. It’s just what was promised
13 January 2024, The Guardian, Owen Jones: It always starts with words. Genocide is largely remembered for its depraved acts, but it is incubated in language. Words can cast dark spells on a population, stirring hatred in those who otherwise see themselves as moderate, humane, normal.
Read MorePenny Wong’s Middle East trip likely to have more consequences at home than abroad
13 January 2024, ABC, Brett Worthington: In visiting Israel and the West Bank, Wong will become the most senior Australian official to visit to the region since war broke out last October. What she says will be closely monitored and not just by those in the region. Back home, fractured communities will be parsing over every word.
Read MoreSouth Africa tells International Court of Justice that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza as landmark case begins
12 January 2024, ABC News: South Africa has told judges at the United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Read MoreTraces of hostages found in Gaza tunnel: IDF
11 January 2024, The Age, by Ohad Zwigenberg: Khan Younis: The Israeli military says it has found evidence that hostages were present in an underground tunnel in the Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, which has become the focus of Israel’s ground offensive.
Read MoreAustralian judge to rule on genocide case that could upend war in Gaza
11 January 2024, The Age, by Matthew Knott: An esteemed Australian judge will help decide a crucial case at The Hague that could order Israel to suspend its military operations in Gaza as Israel seeks to rebut accusations it is committing genocide through its war against Hamas.
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