<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>335156</docID> <postdate>2024-12-12 10:50:10</postdate> <headline>Australia backs Gaza ceasefire amid humanitarian crisis</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>A humanitarian crisis in Gaza has resulted in Australia supporting a reinvigorated push for a ceasefire and aid to flow at scale. </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.</p> <p>The motion passed with 158 members voting in support and nine against, with 13 abstaining at an emergency session on Thursday.</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's ambassador to the UN James Larsen said the demand for full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance to Gaza was urgent as he branded the human human suffering unbearable.</p> <p>"Israel must take urgent action to alleviate this humanitarian crisis," he said.</p> <p>But the resolution's shortcomings included not demanding a conditional ceasefire and failing to unequivocally condemn Hamas, Mr Larsen said as he called for the designated terrorist group to lay down arms.</p> <p>"There can be no role for terrorists in the future governance of Gaza," he said.</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 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> <p>Mr Larsen expressed grave concern over Israel's laws, saying while the resolution wasn't perfect, "limiting UNRWA's operations will only exacerbate an already terrible humanitarian crisis".</p> <p>Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson chastised the votes, saying the federal government's lack of support for Israel translated into anti-Semitism in Australia as people linked the Jewish community to Israel.</p> <p>"They don't draw any distinction between Israel and Jews, so when the Australian government abandons or even worse, vilifies Israel, anti-Semites take encouragement from that," he told Sky News.</p> <p>It follows a number of anti-Semitism crimes including the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue - being investigated as a likely terrorist attack - and anti-Israel graffiti sprayed on a building before a car was set on fire in Sydney.</p> <p>Senator Paterson also attacked UNRWA after a handful of staff members were fired for being involved in Hamas' terror attack, saying it was "unreformable" and Australia shouldn't be providing funding.</p> <p>Australia suspended funding after the allegations and only reinstated it with a probity agreement attached and intelligence agencies determined it wasn't a terrorist organisation.</p> </body>