By Kat Wong and Sam McKeith

Aid for Gaza cannot stop just because a new frontline has opened in Lebanon, and one of Australia’s mining magnates is urging business, philanthropy and political leaders to do more to help save lives. 

Fortescue Metals chairman Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has committed more than $18 million to delivering food, and addressing water scarcity and inadequate sanitation in Gaza through his not-for-profit Minderoo Foundation.

This latest announcement almost doubles the organisation’s total contribution to Gaza’s humanitarian aid as the violence in the Middle East intensifies.

“Minderoo Foundation will not sit on its hands while children starve to death,” Dr Forrest said.

“We want to see the philanthropic and private sector respond more strongly to the humanitarian needs in Gaza.”

Dr Forrest has been speaking from the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, calling for more organisations to work in humanitarian partnership with Palestinians.

About $7 million of his foundation’s funding will be earmarked for the United Nation’s World Food Program.

Another $7 million will support the World Central Kitchen, an organisation whose aid workers, including Australian Zomi Frankcom, have been killed by Israeli airstrikes while delivering assistance.

A total of $3.6 million will go to the Palestinian Water Authority, UNICEF and other local partners to help deliver water and sanitation infrastructure.

“The humanitarian needs are huge and will continue once there is a ceasefire, but we need an immediate and permanent ceasefire,” Dr Forrest said.

It has been almost a year since a decades-long conflict in the Middle East reignited.

On October 7, 2023, militant groups including Hamas – designated a terrorist organisation by the Australian government – attacked Israel, killing 1200 people and taking another 250 hostage, according to the Israeli government.

In response, Israel unleashed a bombing campaign and ground invasion on Gaza, killing almost 42,000 people, displacing 1.9 million and leaving nearly 500,000 to face catastrophic levels of food insecurity, local health ministry sources report.

“It is heartbreaking to see the suffering of civilians in Gaza, especially children, who suffer disproportionately as innocent victims of conflict,” Minderoo Foundation co-founder Nicola Forrest said.

Israel has since expanded its military campaign to Lebanon, trading cross-border fire before invading the nation on Tuesday.

In less than two weeks, Israel’s bombs have killed more than 1000 people in Lebanon and left more than one million without homes.

Night-time vigils to commemorate the October 7 attack will be held on Monday in Sydney’s east and at an undisclosed location in Melbourne, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to attend.

Australian Jewish leaders said no community events were planned for Saturday or Sunday.

Communities grapple with identity a year after October 7