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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described Israeli claims there is no starvation in Gaza as “beyond comprehension”, his strongest rebuke yet to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war.
Albanese made the remarks to Labor colleagues during Tuesday’s party room meeting, in response to a backbench question pressing the party leadership on the pathway towards recognising Palestinian statehood.
“The claims that there is no starvation in Gaza are beyond comprehension,” Albanese said.
“While there is a caveat on any health information which is provided by Hamas, it is Israel that has prevented journalists from getting in.”
Albanese reiterated his support for a two-state solution, referencing a quote from former South African president and anti-apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
Albanese also told colleagues the actions of Hamas were “abominable” and remained condemned by parliament.
Netanyahu said “there is no starvation in Gaza” in a post on X on Sunday.
On Monday, the claim was repeated by Meron, who said: “Israel has never acted in a policy of starvation. There is no such policy … and there is no willingness of Israel that such a thing will happen in the Gaza Strip.”
“Some of those kids — that’s real starvation stuff,” Trump said.
“We have to help on a humanitarian basis before we do anything. We have to get the kids fed.”
‘Incredibly distressed’
Speaking after Tuesday’s Coalition party room meeting, Opposition leader Sussan Ley said she was “incredibly distressed by the images that I’ve seen” in recent weeks, but when pressed by SBS News, she did not comment on whether it was evidence of starvation.
“I’m pleased that aid is now starting to flow into Gaza, and Israel has changed some of its aid channel flows to achieve that,” Ley said.
“I really encourage everyone who sees the situation for the reality it is to remind others that Hamas in control of the hostages, could end the war tomorrow.”
