National

Loss of life in Gaza is 'horrific': Penny Wong

By AAP Newswire

Mar 6, 2024

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says there should be humanitarian assistance provided to Gaza. -AAP Image

Penny Wong has labelled the loss of life in Gaza "horrific" as Israel continues its bombing of the besieged strip.

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The foreign minister would not be drawn when asked if Israel should be doing more to prevent deaths in Gaza following a rebuke from US Vice President Kamala Harris over the unfolding "humanitarian catastrophe".

"I know this is a very difficult, distressing debate. I know what we are seeing in terms of a loss of life is horrific," Senator Wong told ABC News on Wednesday.

"What we have to do as Australian is ensure that how we conduct that discussion and debate here reflects the respect what our multicultural diverse society has always prided ourselves on."

Senator Wong said the government maintained there should be humanitarian assistance provided to Gaza.

"We have called on Israel to observe international humanitarian law," she said.

"We have called for a ceasefire, an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, so I would invite Australians to look at what the government has actually been saying and doing."

Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7 last year, killing about 1200 people and taking 250 hostages.

In response, Israel has bombed Gaza which has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians.