Published September 10,2024
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Australia on Tuesday urged Israel to simply accept the UN Security Council-backed cease-fire deal within the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza.
“A ceasefire in Gaza is desperately needed now,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong mentioned on X, because the Palestinian demise toll in Gaza has climbed to almost 41,000 since final Oct. 7.
Wong mentioned she spoke to her Israeli counterpart Israel Katz on Monday night time to reiterate Australia’s view that “parties must agree to the UNSC-backed deal” for the safety of civilians, the discharge of hostages, to allow extra help, and forestall regional escalation.
The Israeli conflict on Gaza, following an assault by the Palestinian group Hamas, nears one 12 months with indiscriminate bombing of the coastal enclave by Tel Aviv.
However, any effort to ascertain a cease-fire in Gaza has failed.
The prime Australian diplomat mentioned that in her telephone conversations together with her counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Jordan final week, they “agreed (that) a ceasefire in Gaza was key to protecting civilians, securing the release of hostages and reducing tensions across the region.”
“Australia will continue to work with countries of influence to press for peace,” mentioned Wong.
She additionally expressed Australia’s “deep concern with the escalation of violence” within the occupied West Bank, and the inflammatory actions of far-right Israeli ministers.
“Ongoing illegal settlement activity and settler violence undermines the prospects of a just and enduring peace,” she informed the Israeli counterpart.
Wong additionally recalled that Canberra imposed sanctions on Israeli extremists and “will deny anyone identified as an extremist settler a visa to travel to Australia.”
She mentioned: “Two-state solution remains the only way to achieve long-term security and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
Source: www.anews.com.tr