ISRAEL/PALESTINE OCTOBER 7

It was a horrific series of attacks that the world watched unfold when Hamas terrorists struck innocent Israelis only 10 days ago. Every one of those vile acts—the murder of civilians, women and children, the taking of hostages, including from a music festival, the door-to-door terror and rocket fire—is to be condemned, as this parliament has joined together to condemn it and the terrible loss of 1,400 lives in Israel. We've called on Hamas to release the hostages unconditionally.

The consequences of what Hamas has done and the inevitable response is having a profound effect on Palestinians living in Gaza as well as the West Bank. As I speak, the world is anticipating an Israeli offensive in Gaza with the stated aim of wiping out Hamas. But we do know the toll that will take on civilians. The IDF says 100,000 people remain in Gaza City. Already the Israeli retaliation means thousands of innocent civilians in Gaza have lost their lives. Thousands more are injured. Hundreds of thousands have fled south to try and escape what is expected to come. Every one of these civilian lives lost, whether they are Israeli or Palestinian, or any other nationality, is to be mourned.

As the humanitarian situation deteriorates, Australia is supporting the work of the United Nations, the US and Egypt with Israel to find safe passage for Gaza civilians. Under international law, one inhumane act does not justify another. Collective punishment is not within the rules of war. As a nation, Australia consistently calls for the protection of civilian lives and the observance of international law. We joined President Biden and other leaders in calling for Israel to operate by the rules of war. We have urged restraint in Israel's response, knowing that civilian lives are at stake.

I want to explain about Gaza. It's only 41 kilometres long and only six to 12 kilometres wide, a narrow strip that is really densely populated—more than two million people, half of whom are under 18. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, the only UN body with a mandate to provide relief and social services to Palestinian refugees, describes the current situation there as 'unprecedented'. UNRWA is supporting displaced people in their schools and buildings, rationing food and water, but there's no access to fuel in many areas for people to relocate. With little food, water or electricity, it is a dire humanitarian situation. Hospitals are not able to meet the demand. That is why we need to see an end to this blockade.

Let's be really clear: Hamas is a terrorist group and does not represent the Palestinian people or their legitimate needs and aspirations. I am not the only one in this parliament to say that. Their aspirations are what most of us would consider human rights: the right to live in peace, the right to move around without checkpoints when you go to work or visit your grandchildren and the right to equal justice. Hamas's terrorism means that the only aspiration many Gazans can have right now is to survive. That is why Australia has engaged with countries in the Middle East and beyond at all levels in support of the protection of civilians and the containment of conflict. Innocent civilians on both sides are suffering as a result of this conflict. Both Palestinians and Israelis deserve justice and freedom. I feel a profound sadness for how far away the prospect of this is now.

SITTING ADJOURNED

Since my remarks were interrupted last night, unfortunately things have deteriorated, not improved, and we look in horror at what is playing out. I restate that the protection of civilian lives and the respect for international humanitarian law are paramount. There's no room for movement there. Australia has condemned any indiscriminate attacks and the targeting of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals. We condemn those behaviours. There is much confusion about what is going on, and I'm not going to go into the details, but I think we're all aware of the loss of civilian life that has occurred at the hospital in Gaza. I note that the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. As I said last night, what we're seeing is innocent civilians suffering on both sides, as a result of this conflict. Both Palestinians and Israelis deserve justice and they deserve freedom. This is deeply distressing for so many people in Australia, grieving the lives that have been lost.

What's important for us at home is that we maintain respect for each other as we do our best to support all the victims of this horror, irrespective of nationality or religion. In this parliament, we've condemned all forms of hate speech and violent extremist activity, including Islamophobia and antisemitism. In this place, we've agreed that no-one should be stoking fear and division which risks our domestic security. People should feel safe in Australia, wherever they are. Hateful prejudice has no place in this country. In this place, we must continue to work together for what can be the only goal in this situation that's unfolding, and that is to provide peace for the region of the Middle East, to support a two-state solution for Palestinians and Israelis, and not allow a terror attack and its repercussions to undermine that commitment. There is much practical work being done to assist Australians who are caught up in this conflict. More than 1,500 previously registered Australians have now left Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and additional flights are being arranged, subject to security conditions. DFAT remains in contact with more than 1,200 registered Australians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and not all of those who have registered actually want to leave, and many have registered for information updates. So we continue to work very closely with Australians who are on the ground.

I want to speak specifically about Australians in Gaza. We know this is very distressing for people in Australia who have family members who are Australian citizens or noncitizens in Gaza. That's obviously an extremely challenging situation for Australia to be assisting people. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is in direct contact with Australians in Gaza who are seeking to leave, keeping them updated and continuing to work with them.

I also want to make one remark about the West Bank. I've visited the West Bank. I know people in Ramallah and I've been in communication with them. They are frightened; they are scared. I've seen footage of some of the things that are happening on the ground there. It's a horrible situation for people in the West Bank.

There are also Australians in the West Bank who are wanting to leave, and they are also being supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I think our role as parliamentarians is to make sure we are careful in the language we use. We've been asked by the head of ASIO to be careful in the language that we use. We have strong feelings about this. None of us like seeing the loss of civilian life, and that is the thing that absolutely unites us here. Our language should ensure that we are respectful.

We all hope that over the coming days there can be steps taken to de-escalate the terrible violence that we are witnessing. I thank the House.