74 organizations in Australia urge government to act immediately to broker Israel-Hamas cease-fire

By Anadolu staff

Over 70 civil society organizations, including Amnesty International Australia, called on the Australian government to act immediately to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and halt the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

In a joint statement, 74 Australian civil society organizations urged the Australian government to act immediately and press Israel for a cease-fire and a cessation of targeting civilians in Gaza.

"In a horrific escalation overnight, Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza city was bombed, with initial estimates of 500 people killed," said Amnesty International Australia in a statement posted on X.

The statement's signatories include Anglican Overseas Aid, which funded the hospital that was bombed late Tuesday evening.

"Today, as a ground invasion by Israeli forces looms, the people of Gaza face an unrelenting humanitarian crisis. The Israeli government's complete siege of Gaza has cut people off from clean water, food, fuel, and power," it said.

On the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Hamas, many world leaders have urged Tel Aviv to follow international humanitarian law and call a cease-fire.

Amnesty International Australia has urged the Australian government and parliament to condemn Israel for war crimes.

"We cannot allow any country to commit war crimes with impunity," said Nikita White, campaigner for Amnesty International Australia.

"Amnesty International is greatly concerned about violations of international humanitarian law by Israeli forces in Gaza. We have collected evidences of horrific human rights abuses from the use of white phosphorus, which burns the skin, to airstrikes pounding residential buildings, killing children, to the cutting off of water, food, fuel, and electricity to millions of people," White said.

She also urged the Australian government to make every effort to protect civilian lives and to condemn all war crimes, regardless of perpetrator.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid