Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts to visit Israel; Domestic violence victims now able to receive support via text; And in football, West Ham stun Tottenham with a second-half comeback.
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
- Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts to visit Israel;
- Domestic violence victims now able to receive support via text;
- And in football, West Ham stun Tottenham with a second-half comeback.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong will visit the Middle East early in the New Year after the government sends its first frontbencher to Israel next week.
Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts will visit the country with a cross parliamentary delegation including opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham, in a bid to help protect civilians and prevent the spread of the conflict in the region.
This comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected suggestions by the Opposition he visit the region, and Israel upgraded its travel warning for Australia urging its citizens looking to visit the country to "take additional precautions".
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says it is appropriate for senior ministers to travel to the country.
"We maintain good relations with Israel as we do with a number of countries in that region and of course across the world. This is all itineraries which are worked out pretty close to when our travel occurs, but ultimately that's a matter for the Foreign Minister, but her travel is entirely appropriate."
—
Several people have reportedly been killed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, a major city in the southern Gaza Strip.
The exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed, as well as how many have been injured in the strike, which is said to have hit a residential block.
But witnesses like Shadi Abu Samra say dozens of individuals are feared buried beneath the rubble.
“There were people having breakfast, safely sitting, baking or filling water. There is no safety. There is no safe area. All the missiles are falling over people’s heads. God will judge everyone staying silent, every single person staying silent. More than 70 persons are trapped under us. We can’t pull them out. People, for God’s sake feel for us. More than 70 persons are trapped under here. They’re still pulling people. We pulled out from maybe more 20 or 30 persons, and they’re still at it. Right below our legs there are probably some 70 people.”
Israeli forces have also struck the southern Gaza town of Rafah twice overnight, thought to be one of the last places where civilians could seek refuge after Israel widened its offensive against Hamas.
Israel accuses Hamas of embedding itself in civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and schools, using Palestinians as human shields, a claim Hamas denies.
—
Domestic violence victims will be able to access specialist counselling and support by text message under a new initiative designed to make seeking help more accessible.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth has today launched the scheme, under which text support to the domestic violence helpline 1800RESPECT will be available 24-hours a day, seven days a week, in line with their phone and online services.
The text expansion is expected to particularly help people living in rural communities and those who may have limited access to technology or the internet, including remote Indigenous communities.
Victims seeking help can text "HELLO" or a greeting to 0458 737 732.
Ms Rishworth has said every life lost to domestic violence is "one too many".
"When we think about some of the tragic news that is hitting the media at the moment, I think we are all quite devastated, but I hope (this) provides us the resolve to continue on our path to end violence against women and children in one generation."
—
In football,
West Ham have inflicted more pain on Ange's Postecoglou's Tottenham in the Premier League, with Spurs falling victim to another second half comeback.
Jarrod Bowen and James Ward-Prowse struck after half-time to help West Ham turn the tables on Tottenham, after Cristian Romero put Spurs ahead in the 11th-minute, to earn a memorable 2-1 win at their London rivals.
Postecoglou's side had been on course for a first victory since October 27 at the break, but the loss leaves injury-hit Tottenham with four defeats in five matches.
Postecoglou has told a post-match conference playing good football without winning games is not enough for the team.
"I've said that from the start, that's all that I'm interested in, I try and set up teams to win games, and you know, one-nil at halftime was not a good performance by us, you know a good performance would be three to four-nil up in the first half and put this game to bed."
