3 February 2024, Herald Sun Updates, by Justin Vallejo and Adella Beaini: Israel will shift forces to the town of Rafah in the south of Gaza, and north towards the border of Lebanon, as troops target Hamas’s last major stronghold and turn their attention to “what’s next” with Hezbollah.
Read MoreCeasefire hopes rise after Hamas ‘agrees to substance of deal’
2 February 2024, The Australian, by Alistair Dawber and Samer al-Atrus: Hamas and Israel have agreed to the “substance” of a deal that would allow the remaining civilian hostages being held in Gaza to be freed in return for a 40-day ceasefire, a Qatari official said. A resolution could be reached “within weeks”, the official added.
Read MoreHamas hostage survivor is reunited with her Australian family
3 February 2024, The Australian, by Cameron Stewart: For Melbourne man Dan Monheit it was the warmest hug of his life. He had been desperate to fly to Israel and wrap his arms around his family matriarch, 78-year-old Margalit Moses, ever since the former hostage was freed by Hamas.
Read More‘Shockingly amateurish’: Australian government delivers veiled rebuke to Israel over UN agency comments
3 February 2024, The Guardian, by Daniel Hurst: An Australian government insider has accused the Israeli ambassador of making “shockingly amateurish and counterproductive” comments in a rift over the potential to reinstate funding to a key UN agency.
Read MoreWong, Dutton spar over cut in aid to Gaza
3 February 2024, The Age, by Matthew Knott: Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has hit back at Opposition Leader Peter Dutton for insisting she be sacked if the federal government resumes funding for the United Nations’ key humanitarian agency in the Palestinian territories. The stoush between Dutton and Wong came as Israel’s ambassador to Australia accused the government of appearing to forget Hamas’ responsibility for the October 7 attack in the latest sign of tense relations between Israel and Australia.
Read MoreBritain says it could recognise Palestinian state before any Israel peace deal
2 February 2024, The Age, by Fay Abuelgasim: Riyak, Lebanon: Britain’s top diplomat said his country could officially recognise a Palestinian state after a cease-fire in Gaza without waiting for the outcome of what could be yearslong talks between Israel and the Palestinians on a two-state solution.
Read MoreIsrael’s Enemies Try, and Fail, to Help Hamas Terrorists
30 January 2024, Herald-Sun, by Colin Rubenstein: Although it’s regrettable the ICJ did not throw out the meritless case altogether, it is clear South Africa’s disgraceful attempt to weaponise the Genocide Convention against Israel in support of Hamas failed.
Read MoreIsrael to Fight on Despite Warning
28 January 2024, Courier-Mail / AFP, by Justin Vallejo – Adella Beaini: Israel has vowed to fight until it achieves “total victory” against Hamas, after the International Court of Justice did not call for a ceasefire in Gaza despite finding a “plausible” risk of genocide in the enclave.
Read MoreAustralia pauses $6m aid as UN investigates claims over attack
28 January 2024, The Age & Sydney Morning Herald / AP, by Natassia Chrysanthos: Australia will pause its $6 million humanitarian aid package to the United Nations agency for Palestinians in Gaza as the organisation investigates allegations that 12 of its staff may have been involved in the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7.
Read MoreCourt stops short of ceasefire call but lets genocide case stand
28 January 2024, The Age & Sydney Morning Herald / Reuters, by Stephanie van den Berg Bassam Masoud: The World Court ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by the plaintiff, South Africa.
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