Australia must act as Israel shatters ceasefire with massacres of displaced Palestinians

Mar 18, 2025

The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) condemns Israel’s obliteration of the ceasefire in Gaza, with Israeli warplanes now bombarding sites sheltering displaced Palestinians.

This follows weeks of Israeli violations since the ceasefire came into effect on 19 January 2025, including military strikes, the deliberate starvation of Palestinians, the complete obstruction of humanitarian aid, and the cutting of electricity.

Reports from Gaza confirm that Israeli warplanes started bombing sites sheltering displaced families before the pre-dawn meal, including Al-Tabi’in School in central Gaza, and the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis.

At the time of writing, Israel’s Occupation Forces have massacred more than 200 Palestinians – including dozens of children and the head of the nutrition centre at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis – in their aggressive breaking of the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz has openly threatened even greater violence, vowing to unleash destruction on Gaza like it has “never known before.”

Israel’s refusal to uphold even the most basic commitments under this ceasefire has led directly to this moment. Israel has demonstrated once again its complete disregard for Palestinian lives and international law, knowing that history has shown it will face no consequences.

This is not just a breakdown of a ceasefire. It is part of Israel’s ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing and apartheid. Its relentless bombardment, combined with its calculated denial of food, water, medicine and electricity, is a clear war crime that must be met with urgent international action.

APAN demands that the Australian government unequivocally condemn Israel’s breaking of the ceasefire, and impose immediate sanctions on all Israeli figures and entities responsible for genocidal acts in Gaza, along with a two-way arms embargo, in line with its international legal obligations.

Words of “concern” are meaningless – Australia must end its complicity in Israel’s war crimes, and take real action to stop this genocide.

Comments attributed to APAN President Nasser Mashni:

“Israel has obliterated the ceasefire by brutally bombing Palestinians as they slept in shelters and tents – after almost 1000 violations of the ceasefire agreement in just two months.

“Israel has shattered any illusion that it ever intended to uphold this ceasefire. 

“Today it has made very clear that it will continue its genocidal campaign against Palestinians in Gaza, in full view of the world, without consequence.

“The question is no longer whether Israel will commit further atrocities. The question is, will the Australian government finally act – or will it continue enabling these atrocities?

“Every bomb dropped, every Palestinian family massacred, ever aid truck blocked – this is Israel’s genocide, apartheid and occupation in real time. 

“Australia must cut all ties with this rogue state, impose sanctions and an arms embargo, and stop shielding it from accountability.”