Australia warns Israel of ‘grave risks’ if conflict in Gaza spreads

ANKARA (AA) – Australia has urged Israel to stop the killing of civilians and warned that Tel Aviv faces “grave risks” if the conflict in Gaza spreads.

Speaking to reporters in Adelaide on Thursday, the South Australia capital, Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated her country’s call for humanitarian pauses in Gaza.

“We want humanitarian supplies of food, water, medicine, and fuel to reach people in desperate need. The people of Gaza cannot wait,” Wong said, according to a transcript published on the Foreign Ministry’s website.

Wong said 20 Australian citizens had arrived in Egypt from Gaza the previous day.

The top Australian diplomat expressed concerns over the current situation and said that even in war there are rules and the international community will not accept civilian deaths.

“So, when Israel’s friends urge Israel to exercise restraint, when Israel’s friends urge Israel to protect civilian lives, it is critical that Israel listens. It matters to Israel’s own security, which faces grave risks if the conflict spreads,” she warned.

About reports of Palestinian families being forced out of villages in the West Bank by Israel, Wong said her message to the Israeli government is to “stop it.”

Attacks on civilians in the West Bank who are entitled to be there, and violence against civilians need to be ended, the Australian foreign minister said, adding: “It’s not good for Israel’s security either.”

The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since October 7.

More than 9,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, most of them women and children.

Besides the large number of casualties and displacement, basic supplies including water have run out for the 2.3 million residents in Gaza due to the Israeli siege, leading to the outbreak of illnesses and incredible hardship.