Australian PM Calls Palestinian Leader as Australia Announces $20 Million in Additional Gaza Aid
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas overnight, reiterating Australia's call for immediate aid access to Gaza and a permanent ceasefire as the government announced $20 million in additional humanitarian assistance Sunday.
The phone call, confirmed by the Prime Minister's Office, came as Australia unveiled its latest aid package for Gaza, bringing the nation's total humanitarian commitment to more than $130 million since the conflict began in October 2023.
During the conversation, Albanese reiterated Australia's position calling for "the immediate entry of aid to Gaza, a permanent ceasefire and the release of all the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas," according to a readout from the prime minister's office. He also reaffirmed Australia's commitment to a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel.
Abbas thanked Australia for its economic and humanitarian support, the readout stated. The Palestinian leader's expression of gratitude came as Australia announced its weekend pledge of $20 million in additional Gaza aid.
The two leaders discussed deepening cooperation across several areas and agreed to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, officials said.
The diplomatic outreach underscores Australia's increasing engagement on the Gaza crisis as international pressure mounts for expanded humanitarian access and conflict resolution.
The new $20 million funding package will support food distribution, medical supplies for field hospitals and other lifesaving assistance for women and children in Gaza following the establishment of new humanitarian corridors, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and International Development Minister Anne Aly said in a joint statement.
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"The suffering and starvation of civilians in Gaza must end," Wong said in the statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Australia will distribute the funding across five international organizations and partnerships. The largest portion, $6 million, goes to the UN World Food Programme for food provision and distribution. UNICEF will receive $5 million for nutritional support to children at risk of starvation, while the International Committee of the Red Cross gets $5 million to meet essential needs including healthcare access.
The funding package also includes $2 million for relief support through Australia's existing partnership with the United Kingdom and $2 million to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization to provide medical supplies for field hospitals in Gaza.
The aid announcement comes as international pressure continues to mount on Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza. Wong said Australia has consistently joined international calls for Israel to permit "full and immediate resumption of aid to Gaza, in line with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice."
Australia's humanitarian response has accelerated significantly since the conflict erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched attacks on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages. Israel's military response in Gaza has resulted in more than 39,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health officials.
The Australian government has coordinated its aid delivery with key partners, including the United Kingdom and established humanitarian organizations, officials said.
"We're working with partners to deliver immediate and sustained life-saving assistance to the people of Gaza," Aly said. "They must be allowed to do their vital work and deliver aid at scale."
The Prime Minister's direct engagement with Abbas represents Australia's most senior-level diplomatic contact with Palestinian leadership during the current crisis. The Albanese government has taken increasingly vocal positions on Gaza while maintaining diplomatic relationships with both Israeli and Palestinian authorities.
The International Committee of the Red Cross portion will support essential healthcare services in Gaza, where medical infrastructure has been severely damaged throughout the conflict. Hospitals have struggled to maintain operations amid power shortages, supply constraints and security concerns.
UNICEF's $5 million allocation targets nutritional support for children facing starvation risk. International aid organizations have reported widespread malnutrition among Gaza's population, particularly affecting children and vulnerable groups.
The World Food Programme funding will address critical food shortages affecting Gaza's 2.3 million residents. The UN agency has worked to establish food distribution networks despite ongoing security challenges and access restrictions.
Australia's partnership with Jordan expands cooperation with the Hashemite Kingdom to provide medical supplies specifically for field hospital operations. Jordan has served as a key staging area for humanitarian assistance to Gaza throughout the conflict.
The new humanitarian corridors referenced in the announcement were not detailed in the government statement, but humanitarian organizations have worked to establish safe passage routes for aid delivery into Gaza.
Wong emphasized Australia's continued diplomatic efforts alongside the humanitarian response.
"Australia will continue to work with the international community to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages and a two-state solution – the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples," Wong said.
The scheduled September meeting between Albanese and Abbas at the UN General Assembly will provide another opportunity for direct diplomatic engagement as Australia continues to advocate for conflict resolution and increased humanitarian access.
Australia has previously called for compliance with International Court of Justice provisional measures ordering Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza and ensure humanitarian aid access. The ICJ case, brought by South Africa, remains pending final judgment.
The government's humanitarian focus on women and children reflects international concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza. UN officials have reported that women and children comprise a significant portion of those killed in the conflict.
Australia's total $130 million commitment since October 2023 includes assistance for both Gaza and Lebanon, where cross-border fighting has displaced thousands of residents in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
The funding flows through Australia's established aid partnerships rather than direct bilateral assistance, reflecting security and operational challenges in Gaza. International humanitarian organizations maintain operational capabilities in the territory despite ongoing conflict conditions.
Aly called on Israel to facilitate aid delivery, stating: "We continue to call on Israel to allow immediate and unimpeded aid access into Gaza."
The timing of Australia's announcement coincides with ongoing international diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Recent negotiations involving United States, Egyptian and Qatari mediators have focused on hostage releases and temporary fighting cessations.
Australia maintains diplomatic relations with Israel while supporting Palestinian statehood aspirations. The Albanese government has indicated it may recognize Palestinian statehood as part of peace process developments, though no timeline has been established.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has prompted significant international aid commitments from multiple countries. The United States remains the largest donor, providing billions in assistance, while European Union nations and regional partners have contributed substantial funding.
Gaza's healthcare system has operated under severe constraints throughout the conflict. The World Health Organization has documented attacks on medical facilities and reported critical shortages of medical supplies, fuel and electricity needed for hospital operations.
Food security remains a primary concern for Gaza residents. The World Food Programme has reported that virtually the entire population faces food insecurity, with many areas experiencing famine-like conditions.
The Australian aid package supports organizations with established Gaza operations rather than attempting to create new delivery mechanisms. This approach reflects security realities and operational expertise requirements for working in conflict zones.
International humanitarian law requires parties to armed conflicts to facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilian populations. Australia's statements reference these legal obligations in calling for increased aid access.
The Jordan partnership component recognizes the Hashemite Kingdom's role as a regional humanitarian hub. Jordan has coordinated aid delivery efforts and provided staging areas for international assistance throughout the Gaza crisis.
Australia's aid commitments extend beyond immediate humanitarian needs to include longer-term recovery planning. Officials have indicated readiness to support Gaza reconstruction efforts as part of eventual conflict resolution.
The announcement maintains Australia's position as a significant contributor to Gaza humanitarian assistance while demonstrating increased diplomatic engagement through high-level contacts with Palestinian leadership. Australian officials have supported multilateral diplomatic efforts led by regional partners and major powers.
Medical supplies funding addresses critical healthcare infrastructure needs in Gaza, where field hospitals have provided essential services amid damage to permanent medical facilities. International medical organizations have established temporary treatment centers to address urgent health needs.
The humanitarian crisis encompasses water, sanitation and shelter needs beyond food and medical assistance. Australia's funding partners address multiple aspects of civilian needs through coordinated programming approaches.
Future Australian aid commitments will depend on conflict developments and ongoing humanitarian assessments, officials indicated. The government maintains readiness to adjust assistance levels based on civilian needs and operational access possibilities, while continuing diplomatic engagement with regional leaders on conflict resolution efforts.
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