Statement: Australia must take urgent, concrete action to halt the Israeli Government’s military offensive in Gaza and ensure the unfettered delivery of aid at scale

The Asylum Seekers Centre is currently supporting individuals and families who have fled Gaza. We are witnessing firsthand the extreme levels of destitution and homelessness among this group, alongside a deep sense of hopelessness as many fear for loved ones left behind.

We join the growing chorus of voices calling on the Australian Government to take urgent, concrete action to halt the Israeli Government’s military offensive in Gaza and to immediately help ensure the unfettered delivery of aid at scale.

The scale and severity of human suffering in Gaza is unbearable. The escalation of violence, following the relentless destruction of life and infrastructure, is unconscionable. The United Nations has warned that Gaza’s entire population is now at imminent risk of famine.

We welcome Australia’s call for the immediate and full resumption of humanitarian aid. However, words must be matched with decisive action to address the devastating reality unfolding before us.

We call on the Australian Government to use every available diplomatic lever to secure a permanent humanitarian ceasefire, ensure the sustained and unfettered delivery of aid at scale, advocate for the release of all Israeli and Palestinian hostages, protect innocent lives, and uphold the rights of all Palestinians.

We also urge the Australian Government to ensure that those Palestinians who have arrived here, having fled the violence in Gaza, are afforded a pathway to permanent protection and the possibility to reunite with family.