Key Points
- Communities across Australia collect funds for those in need in Gaza.
- Rafah crossing seen as vital to delivering lifesaving humanitarian aid.
- Rights groups pen open letter to Australian leaders urging diplomatic intervention.
Different communities across Australia have held special prayers for peace and fundraising events for the people of Gaza and Israel.
Adil Salman, head of the Islamic Council of Victoria, told SBS Urdu that people are giving generously to Palestinian civilians affected by the conflict.
He said he hoped the opening of a humanitarian aid corridor at Rafah by Egypt would allow urgent aid supplies and food to reach Gaza.
"There are many ways (for Australians) to help. One is to contact local MPs and write to government ministers and the Prime Minister requesting Australia increase its aid to Palestinians in Gaza and there are so many charity organisations appealing for aid, just be generous and donate to them," he said.
The Executive Council of Australian Jews (ECAJ) has launched ‘Set Them Free’ campaign for the nearly 200 Israelis – including women and children - held captive by Hamas since 7 October.
The ECAJ has also held memorials in different cities in Australia for the hundreds of Israelis killed in the Hamas attacks.
“We call on all fair-minded people and our political representatives to join with us in demanding the immediate, safe return of the hostages,” Jillian Segal, the ECAJ president, said in a statement.
Australia has announced an initial $10 million in assistance for civilians affected by the conflict in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, with a focus on Gaza.
This includes $3 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross to fund urgent needs like restoring essential services and providing medical support to victims of the conflict and $7 million through United Nations agencies to deliver critical support including emergency water, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as child protection.
People gather in front of a building that was housing media organisations in Gaza City that was destroyed after Israeli warplanes demolished it. Source: AAP
An Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) spokesperson told SBS Urdu that people should verify the charity register by visiting their website before making any donation.
The ACNC spokesperson said that a review of the ABN number of the donor organisation and its reporting on the use of other donations may also be helpful.
Letter for peace
At least 30 leading human rights organisations in Australia have called on the federal government to stop the ongoing bloodshed in Gaza through diplomatic means.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and senior cabinet ministers, the rights groups urged them to intervene diplomatically to protect civilian lives in Gaza. This letter is published by the Australian Council for International Development, a coalition of leading non-governmental organisations.
It has been signed by 30 organisations including Save the Children Australia, Islamic Relief Australia, Oxfam Australia and ActionAid.
Australia should use its influence to secure an immediate ceasefire between armed Palestinian groups and Israel.Letter by rights groups
More than 4,000 civilians have died in the bombing of Gaza in retaliation for the kidnapping and murder of communities in southern Israel, it said, while appealing to the federal government to be "unceasing in efforts to achieve unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance, a humanitarian corridor and protection of civilians."
The letter was sent individually to Prime Minister Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Defence Minister Richard Marles and International Development Minister Pat Conroy.
Palestine Source: Pixabay
Seeking safety every hour
Oxfam Australia's program director, Anthea Spinks, told SBS Urdu that the end to the conflict is critical for emergency aid and other essential goods to enter Gaza and reach the people.
"The immediate needs are many, obviously the first immediate need is actually cessation of the hostilities and ceasefire because without that we cannot get life-saving aid quickly to those communities," she said.
Ms Spinks stressed it is important to facilitate a safe delivery for humanitarian aid as food and water are running out in Gaza.
Lives will be lost not just because of the conflict but also because of the situation they are facing.Anthea Spinks, Oxfam Australia's program director
"We've seen horrendous scenes on our TV screens, I've got many colleagues who I think of daily at the moment who are literally just trying to find safety on an hour by hour basis to do what they can to support their immediate neighbours and their communities but it is really really important that the aid can start flowing in and to do that we need cessation of hostilities," she said.
