AUKMIN 2025 Strengthens Australia-UK Ties Amid Global Tensions

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza as “indefensible,” characterizing the situation as a “humanitarian catastrophe.” This article reviews the Australian Labor Party’s (ALP) stance, examines the context of Israel’s actions, and outlines concerns raised by conservative commentators regarding the government’s selective criticism.

On 25 July 2025, Albanese condemned Israel’s limitations on aid deliveries, stating, “Gaza is in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe.” He referenced a joint statement issued by 28 nations, noting that over 800 Palestinians have died while seeking humanitarian assistance, as reported by The Guardian. Albanese urged Israel to comply with international law by allowing United Nations (UN) agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) unrestricted access to deliver aid. Media reports cited 115 starvation-related deaths, including 80 children, since the conflict’s escalation, according to 9News.

Middle East analyst Michael Weiss commented on Sky News Australia that while Albanese’s remarks were among his strongest, the ALP must also acknowledge Hamas’s interference with aid distribution, which has contributed to the crisis. Critics, including Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson Michaelia Cash, criticized Albanese’s statement for omitting Hamas’s actions, such as the looting of aid supplies, which have exacerbated conditions in Gaza. Cash emphasized that moral condemnation should also be directed at Hamas, identified as a terrorist organization responsible for the 7 October 2023 attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Conservative voices argue that the ALP’s focus on Israel’s blockade, established following Hamas’s attack, presents a partial narrative that overlooks Hamas’s role in prolonging the conflict.

The ALP’s calls for a ceasefire and the release of hostages align with international diplomatic efforts, but some commentators question the government’s reluctance to consider measures such as sanctions, as France and other allies have suggested, according to ABC News. With Gaza’s reported death toll surpassing 59,000, per the Gaza Health Ministry, and humanitarian access severely restricted, Albanese’s stance has been described by critics as potentially performative. They contend it does not fully address the complexity of the conflict and may intensify domestic debate over Australia’s Middle East policy.