Australia to attend humanitarian crisis talks on Gaza

Australia will attend emergency talks in the Middle East over the unfolding humanitarian “catastrophe” in Gaza.

Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly will travel to Amman this week to join an international conference being hosted by Egypt, Jordan and the United Nations.

The federal government has committed $62.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the region since the Hamas-Israel war began on October 7.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Dr Aly would bring her professional expertise and knowledge through her experience as an Egyptian-born Australian in representing the nation.

“The human suffering in Gaza is unacceptable,” she said on Monday.

“Australia has been part of the international push for a ceasefire, for humanitarian aid to reach Gazans in desperate need, and for hostages to be released. Australia’s participation in this conference is part of that international effort.”

Dr Aly said the humanitarian situation in Gaza was “catastrophic”.

“Our participation in this conference will emphasise Australia’s ongoing support for diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and to address the humanitarian crisis,” she said.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said he wasn’t in a position to comment on whether the rescue of four Israeli hostages over the weekend was a massacre after reports of Palestinian deaths.

“It’s fair to say that as a conflict has gone on, and we’ve been horrified by the images that we’ve been seeing, and that’s why we’ve been steadfast in calling for a humanitarian ceasefire,” he told ABC’s RN.

Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 270 people were killed and almost 700 wounded after the Israeli rescue mission.

More than 37,000 people in Gaza have been killed since Israel declared war on Hamas in retaliation for the militants’ October 7 attack.

Hamas killed 1200 Israelis and took more than 200 hostages in the assault.