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Penny Wong has announced she will meet with the families of Israeli hostages on her peace trip to the Middle East as tensions continue to rise in the region over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Foreign Minister will travel to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank where she will meet with families of hostages and survivors of the October 7 attacks.
She will also meet with those impacted by settler violence in the West Bank.
“This visit is about advocating for a pathway out of this conflict,” Senator Wong said ahead of her departure.
“In my meetings I will be advocating for an increase in the delivery of vital humanitarian assistance, the upholding of international law and greater protection of civilians, and avoiding regional escalation.”
Senator Wong’s trip follows that of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who was in the region last week.
He warned the Israeli government the civilian death tool in Gaza was “far too high”.
Sunday marked 100 days since terror group Hamas killed 1200 Israelis and took another 240 hostage.
Israel’s retaliation has killed more than 20,000 Palestinians in Gaza in the three months since.
The Foreign Minister will have to walk a tightrope as she reiterates Australia’s condemnation of Hamas’ and support for Israel’s right to defend itself while also calling for steps to be taken towards a “sustainable ceasefire”.
“Australia has consistently and unequivocally condemned Hamas’ October 7 terror attacks … We continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages,” Senator Wong said.
“I will express our profound concern that there are increasingly few safe places for Gazans.
“I will reiterate our call for safe, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access so that food, water, fuel, medicine and essential assistance to reach people in desperate need, and so civilians can get to safety.
“Australia wants to see steps towards a sustainable ceasefire. That can never be one-sided.
“It is our view that Gaza must no longer be used as a platform for terrorism and that Hamas must lay down its arms.”
Senator Wong will also visit Oman, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates where the minister will hold meetings with counterparts about the de-escalation of tensions in the region.
The government faced criticism last year when it opted to send junior minister Tim Watts as the first Australian government representative to the region.
Senator Wong’s own trip was announced just a day later.
The government said the visit builds on the extensive diplomatic efforts Senator Wong has made since the crisis began and is the first by a Foreign Minister since 2016.
Her departure comes just days after Australia supported the United States and United Kingdom’s air strikes on Yemen in retaliation for Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea.
The Iranian-backed rebels have launched 27 attacks on commercial vessels in the crucial trade route since mid-November – a response to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
The Red Sea is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. It links the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week accused Iran of “meddling” and playing a “destructive role” in the conflict.
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