CANBERRA, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as a catastrophe and called on Israel to immediately stop the blockage of aid into the region.
In a statement on Friday, Albanese said that the situation in Gaza has "gone beyond the world's worst fears."
"Gaza is in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel's denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food, cannot be defended or ignored," he said.
He said that Australia calls on Israel to comply with its obligations under international law, including allowing the United Nations (UN) and NGOs to carry out their lifesaving work safely and to abandon any proposals for the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian population.
The statement was released hours after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would formally recognize a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly.
Australia does not currently recognize Palestinian statehood but Albanese said that doing so has long been a bipartisan position in the country.
He said that Australia continues to support all international efforts to facilitate a ceasefire and is committed to a future where the Israeli and Palestinian people can live in peace and safety within "internationally-recognized borders."
"Until that day, every effort must be made here and now to safeguard innocent life and end the suffering and starvation of the people of Gaza," he said.
Australia on Monday joined 27 other countries, including France, in calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. ■
