As I told this place earlier this week, our calls for international humanitarian law to be respected are about protecting innocent life. But they are also about our shared interests. They are about containing this conflict—and containing this conflict matters. If conflict were to spill over across the region, risks to Israel’s security would be compounded, as they would for Israeli and Palestinian civilians and civilian populations throughout the region. Averting regional escalation matters to Israel. It matters to the people of the region and it matters to the world.
Senator GROGAN (South Australia) (14:07): My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong. Can the minister update the Senate on the security situation in the Middle East following the abhorrent attacks on Israel by Hamas?
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:07): My thanks to Senator Grogan for her question. I appreciate her ongoing concern over the crisis unfolding in the Middle East. We have seen a devastating loss of innocent life since the heinous attacks on Israel by the brutal terrorist group Hamas. We continue to call for the unconditional release of all hostages.
Colleagues, the scenes from the explosion at a Gaza City hospital overnight are deeply distressing. As the Prime Minister said this morning, every innocent life matters whether Israeli or Palestinian. Our thoughts are with those killed, with those injured and their loved ones. The protection of civilians wherever they live must come first and respect for international humanitarian law is paramount. We condemn any indiscriminate attacks and the targeting of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals. Australia joins with others in calling for international law to always be upheld.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, and we reiterate our call for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. We support the establishment of a corridor to enable humanitarian needs to be met and to ensure the $10 million in humanitarian assistance we have announced reaches those who need it. We are encouraging the work of the United States, Egypt and others towards this goal.
As I told this place earlier this week, our calls for international humanitarian law to be respected are about protecting innocent life. But they are also about our shared interests. They are about containing this conflict—and containing this conflict matters. If conflict were to spill over across the region, risks to Israel’s security would be compounded, as they would for Israeli and Palestinian civilians and civilian populations throughout the region. Averting regional escalation matters to Israel. It matters to the people of the region and it matters to the world.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Grogan, first supplementary?
Senator GROGAN (South Australia) (14:09): Thank you, Minister, for all that you’re doing for those innocent civilians in Palestine and in Israel. With this challenging security situation, can the minister update the Senate on the Australian government’s effort to assist Australians who are seeking to leave?
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:10): Last night an Australian government assisted departure flight landed in Sydney from Dubai, carrying 222 passengers, and 164 of those were Australian citizens. It was wonderful to see Australians reunited with their families at the airport. An Australian government assisted departure flight is due to land in Sydney from London today, and, subject to security conditions, we are planning an assisted departure flight from Tel Aviv to Dubai today. We continue to assist Australians who want to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This includes supporting Australians in the West Bank on departure options, such as transport to Jordan with our international partners and accommodation. Australians in the West Bank who want to leave should contact the Consular Emergency Centre. More than 1,500 previously registered Australians have now left Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Grogan, second supplementary?
Senator GROGAN (South Australia) (14:11): Given the regional situation, can the minister update the chamber on the Australian government travel advice for Lebanon?
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:11): Thank you, Senator Grogan. Since the beginning of this crisis, the government has updated the Australian government travel advice for neighbouring Lebanon. As I said on the weekend, we are urging Australians in Lebanon to consider whether the need for them to remain there is essential. I urge that again today. If Australians in Lebanon do wish to leave, they should be aware that a crisis could limit commercial departure options. If they want to leave, we encourage them to take the first available option. The areas of Lebanon bordering Israel, Golan Heights and Syria remain at level 4, ‘Do not travel.’ Other areas of Lebanon remain at level 3, ‘Reconsider your need to travel.’ This means Australians should avoid non-essential travel. Please access the latest travel advice on the Smartraveller website. Australians who need emergency consular assistance should contact the Consular Emergency Centre.