Israel’s ambassador to Australia was called in for a meeting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) following public statements by diplomats rejecting starvation and famine like conditions in the Gaza.
A senior bureaucrat reiterated Australia's position on the situation to Israel's top diplomat Amir Maimon and deputy chief of mission Amir Meron during the meeting on Tuesday.
It's understood the reiterated "position" referred to recent remarks from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong. They have condemned the way humanitarian aid is being distributed in Gaza, and continue to call for a ceasefire.
Earlier this week, Meron held a briefing with Australian journalists including SBS News where he said there was no starvation in Gaza, despite international humanitarian agencies and doctors reporting deaths from malnutrition.
A government source has confirmed to SBS News that the meeting took place, but said it's part of ongoing broader engagement with Israel's representatives in Canberra.
Revelations of the meeting came on Wednesday, and that evening, the government and the Greens passed a motion critical of "Israel's aid blockade" in the senate.
The motion labelled the action of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, "which risks the risk of mass death from starvation in Gaza, and with millions of Palestinians facing catastrophic hunger", as a "breach of international law."
The wording, moved by Greens senator Nick McKim, was amended by Labor to remove a reference to placing "further economic measures" on Israel, but called on the government to "continue intensifying" its diplomatic efforts to "pressure the Israeli government to open all border crossings and allow the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid".
The motion passed without a formal vote with the absolute majority of Labor and Greens senators, but Opposition senator Sarah Henderson requested her opposition to the motion be recorded.
Israel says it has allowed enough food into Gaza, and blames the United Nations for failing to distribute it.
The UN says it has operated as effectively as possible under severe restrictions imposed by Israel.
After images of starving Palestinians alarmed the world in recent weeks, Israel announced on Sunday a halt in military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and new aid corridors.
But Humanitarian chiefs expressed deep scepticism that airdrops can deliver enough food to tackle the deepening hunger crisis facing Gaza's more than two million inhabitants. They instead demand that Israel allow more overland convoys.
Israel's rejection of starvation in Gaza 'beyond comprehension', PM says
DFAT summoned the ambassador and his deputy on the same day Albanese described Israeli claims there is no starvation in Gaza as "beyond comprehension", his strongest rebuke yet to 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.
SBS News understands Albanese was responding to the remarks from Netanyahu and Meron.
"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 — the political and military group that rules Gaza — 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."
The Israeli government’s assessment was disputed by US President Donald Trump during a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer overnight.
"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."
The Hamas-Israel erupted war on 7 October 2023, when Hamas militants attacked communities across the border in southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking another 251 hostage, according to Israeli tallies. It marked a significant escalation in a long-running conflict.
Gaza's health ministry says 60,000 people have been killed during Israel's subsequent counteroffensive.
UN health agencies have also warned the Palestinian enclave is slipping into famine, and international pressure is mounting on the Israel to let in more humanitarian aid to Gaza, as deaths attributed to malnutrition rise.
