<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>335156</docID> <postdate>2024-12-12 10:40:10</postdate> <headline>Australia backs Gaza ceasefire, supports Palestine aid</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-335157" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20240211001900879611-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Australia has backed a UN vote in favour of a permanent and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Dominic Giannini</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Australia has voted for a ceasefire in Gaza and to support a Palestinian aid agency Israel is moving to dismantle.</strong></p> <p>The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to support a permanent and unconditional ceasefire, the release of hostages, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians at an emergency session on Thursday.</p> <p>The motion passed with 158 members voting in support and nine against, with 13 abstaining.</p> <p>The humanitarian crisis was a key factor in Australia's vote, with more than 44,000 people killed in Gaza, including more than 13,000 children.</p> <p>Nearly all of the strip's 2.1 million people have lost their homes and don't have enough food, water or medical supplies.</p> <p>Australia also voted to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in a second motion that passed with 159 in support, nine against and 11 abstaining.</p> <p>The motion called for the Israeli Knesset to reverse laws banning the agency from operating in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which include Gaza and the West Bank.</p> <p>Foreign Minister Penny Wong has repeatedly stated the agency was the only one with the capability to distribute aid and assistance at the scale needed in Gaza.</p> <p>Israel's ambassador to the UN said the agency had been infiltrated by Hamas - something it denies - and accused the general assembly of ignoring the hostages taken by the terrorist organisation on October 7.</p> </body>