Key Points
- UNICEF calls for urgent access to give aid to Palestinian children in Gaza
- Federal Government advertises social media been to teens with new campaign
- Tiny African island nation qualifies for football World Cup
TRANSCRIPT
Aid organisations are calling for full access to the Gaza Strip, as they work furiously to deliver essential supplies to Palestinians since the start of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
United States President Donald Trump and Arab leaders met in Egypt to sign a ceasefire deal, as the last living Israeli hostages were reunited with family, and Palestinian prisoners returned to the West Bank in the first phase of the peace agreement.
Amid the joyous scenes, humanitarian aid agencies called for all crossings into the enclave to be opened immediately.
The United Nations children's agency UNICEF says it has 1,300 trucks of supplies ready to enter Gaza from Egypt and Jordan, with a further 1,000 trucks on the way.
UNICEF senior emergency manager Emma Maspero says the need for aid is overwhelming.
"The needs of children in Gaza are just enormous, whether it be from clean water, drinking water, and sanitation to avoid spreading any diseases, to basic medical facilities to being able to get nutritional support. We see so many children severely, acutely malnourished."
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Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles, says US President Donald Trump will be remembered in history for his role in securing the release of Israeli hostages and reaching a ceasefire in Gaza.
Mr Marles also reiterated the federal government's support for a two-state solution to achieve lasting peace in the middle east.
"At this moment, there is enormous credit which goes to President Trump and his administration. Having arrived at this moment is an enormous achievement, and one which will be remembered by history. This is a moment that must be grabbed by the region and the world to see a peace which is enduring and that can only occur through the establishment of two states."
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Jewish community members in Australia are celebrating the release of the last living Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Many attending festivities to mark the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, watched the hostages be reunited with family on television screens.
Speaking to SBS Hebrew, Melbourne Jewish community member Justine Pearl described the elation.
"Simchat Torah is this festival of dance where people dance with the Torah and celebrate it being given to us. It's been hard to be joyful in two years, so finally, there were so many tears of joy, and dancing, so it was all of things, all at once."
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Communications Minister Anika Wells has announced a national advertising campaign for the government’s social media ban for 13- to 16-year-olds.
Ms Wells says the vast majority of students she's spoken to are happy and grateful these laws are coming in.
"These social media laws are world-leading and when we went to the UN several weeks ago it was significant how many countries wanted to engage with us about the how and the why of what we are doing. These laws will not mean perfection, but they will mean a significant and meaningful difference and they will spread cultural change across 13 to 16 year olds in this country."
The ban is due to come into effect on December 10th on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, X and Youtube.
The campaign will feature on billboards near schools,on TV, online, and on social media.
Ms Wells has warned social media companies there's no excuse for sites not to be ready.
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Victoria's Opposition says it will repeal a Treaty agreement with Aboriginal people if elected.
The announcement comes as the state parliament begins to debate legislation underpinning the Labor government's proposed Treaty with First Peoples.
The bill is expected to pass parliament with the support of the Greens, paving the way for the first treaty agreement in Australia.
Opposition spokesperson for Aboriginal Affairs, Melina Bath, says a state Coalition government will unwind the Treaty and replace it with a standalone department called First Nations Victoria to oversee progress on Closing the Gap targets.
"We know that the focus needs to be on where the need is greatest, and that is about devolving power, working collaboratively with community and listening and then actioning, funding policy and service delivery, right out in the regions where it matters most."
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And in football, the tiny island nation of Cape Verde has qualified for the World Cup for the first time after beating Eswatini 3-0.
The country of just over half a million people off Africa's west coast, will be the second smallest country by population to feature in the tournament after Iceland in 2018.
The team finished the African qualifying round with four more points than Cameroon, who reached a 0-0 home draw with Angola.
As the sixth African country to qualify, Cape Verde will join Ghana, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt and Morocco at next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
