Australia strongly condemned Israel's decision to expand its military occupation of the Gaza Strip, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong warning the move would worsen the humanitarian catastrophe and violate international law.
The sharp rebuke came as the Netanyahu government announced plans to take control of the entire Gaza Strip and exclude the Palestinian Authority from future governance arrangements. Assistant Foreign Minister Matt Thistlethwaite told ABC's Afternoon Briefing that Australia views the decision as a significant setback to peace efforts.
"We're strongly opposed to this decision by the Netanyahu government regarding Gaza City," Thistlethwaite said. "We think it's a bad decision. It's a setback for the release of Israeli hostages. It's a setback for a permanent ceasefire and a lasting peace."
The minister said the move also undermines prospects for an eventual two-state solution, a cornerstone of Australian foreign policy in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sought direct contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the escalating situation, though Thistlethwaite confirmed no conversation has yet taken place. Wong met with the Israeli ambassador last week to express the government's opposition to Israeli actions that have resulted in civilian casualties during food distribution efforts.
"We're publicly stating to the Israeli government we think this is a bad decision and we're strongly opposed to it," Thistlethwaite said.
When pressed on whether Israel's actions constitute a breach of international law, Thistlethwaite said the decision "potentially does," adding that such determinations fall to the International Court of Justice.
"Certainly, the withholding of humanitarian aid, and particularly food from a population, is a breach of international law," he said. "And we've said that publicly."
The minister emphasized Australia's commitment to the rules-based international order and previous calls for the Netanyahu government to respect International Court of Justice decisions.
Israel's announcement specifically excludes the Palestinian Authority from governing Gaza, a position that conflicts with Australian policy supporting Palestinian Authority reform and democratic elections in the territory. Thistlethwaite acknowledged Australia agrees with Israel's position that Hamas, listed as a terrorist organization in Australia, must be disarmed and excluded from governance.
However, he stressed that Australia seeks to work through international partners rather than acting unilaterally on the complex Middle East issues.
"We see this as a unique opportunity for the world to come together to get a lasting peace and a lasting solution that involves two states," Thistlethwaite said.
The developments have raised questions about whether Australia will accelerate its consideration of Palestinian statehood recognition. Wong recently warned that without swift action, there may be no Palestine left to recognize.
"The foreign minister is correct, that if things continue the way they are, then there wouldn't be a Palestinian state to recognise," Thistlethwaite said. "And that's not an outcome that our government wants."
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Opposition Shadow Home Affairs Minister Andrew Hastie expressed concern about Israel's endgame, noting the extensive destruction already visible in Gaza.
"I looked at Gaza from Google Earth during the week and it's rubble. It has been largely destroyed," Hastie said. "And so the question is, you know, what endgame will Israel achieve by sending an occupation force in?"
Hastie outlined four key principles guiding the opposition's position: supporting Israel's right to self-defense, rejecting moral equivalence between Hamas and Israel, preventing humanitarian crisis escalation, and securing hostage releases.
He warned that urban combat in Gaza's destroyed environment would be "almost impossible" and could result in increased Israeli military casualties alongside civilian suffering.
"Not only, you know, potentially would you see more violence, but you'd see more IDF body bags going back to Israel as well," Hastie said.
The Gaza crisis dominated the political discussion, but the interview also addressed domestic immigration policy controversies. Opposition figures accused the government of lowering English language proficiency standards for migrants, though Thistlethwaite firmly denied any reduction in requirements.
"I can assure members of the public that there has been no reduction whatsoever in the English language proficiencies that are required, particularly for skilled visas in Australia," Thistlethwaite said.
The minister explained that changes involved standardizing testing methods across multiple providers rather than reducing standards. Different testing organizations previously used varying scoring systems, creating inconsistencies in evaluation.
"What we've done is we've standardised a means for those tests to be looked at, and we get a standard outcome," he said. "So, there's been no reduction whatsoever."
Hastie contested this explanation, saying the opposition would pursue clarification through parliamentary estimates processes. He connected the issue to broader concerns about Australia's immigration levels, which reached nearly 500,000 people over two years under the current government.
"Labor has let in one million people over a two-year period, the highest by 70% for any two-year period in our nation's history," Hastie said.
The opposition maintains its election commitment to dramatically reduce net overseas migration, arguing current levels strain housing availability, healthcare services, and infrastructure. Hastie specifically cited 207,000 international students arriving last year alone, suggesting universities profit significantly from the current system.
"Young Australians are locked out of homes. They're finding it very hard to get a rental or even buy a property," Hastie said. "Our hospitals, our roads are congested."
Historical data shows net overseas migration averaged approximately 190,000 people annually between 2000 and 2019, making recent numbers unprecedented in Australian immigration history.
The political debate occurs as Australia grapples with housing affordability challenges and infrastructure pressures in major cities. Opposition research suggests many Australians, particularly young people, have abandoned homeownership aspirations due to increased competition and prices.
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