**Australia PM Accuses Israel’s Netanyahu of Being “In Denial” Over Gaza War**
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly criticized his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he is “in denial” about the consequences of the Gaza war. The comment comes as international pressure grows on Israel to end its military campaign in Gaza.
Albanese made the remarks during an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, where he also expressed frustration at the lack of aid reaching Gaza. He accused Israel of denying the reality of starvation and death among innocent civilians, saying that this was “totally unacceptable”.
**Gaza on Brink of Disaster**
According to the Hamas health ministry, 222 people have died from malnutrition in Gaza over the past few weeks, including 101 children. This number is expected to rise as aid continues to be blocked or delayed by Israeli authorities.
Israel has denied allegations that there is widespread starvation in Gaza, and has accused UN agencies of not doing enough to deliver aid to the border. However, the UN has disputed this claim, saying it faces obstacles and delays when collecting aid from Israeli border zones.
**Australia’s Recognition of Palestinian State**
Albanese also announced that Australia would recognize a Palestinian state, citing assurances from the Palestinian Authority that Hamas would not play a role in any future state. This move is seen as a significant step towards recognizing Palestine’s sovereignty.
However, Netanyahu has pushed back against this decision, saying it was “shameful” for countries like Australia to recognize a Palestinian state without first resolving the conflict through negotiations.
**International Pressure on Israel**
The Gaza war has been widely condemned by the international community, with many calling for an immediate ceasefire. The United States, the European Union, and other countries have also urged Israel to end its military campaign and allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
As tensions continue to rise, it is clear that the situation in Gaza remains dire. Australia’s recognition of Palestine and Netanyahu’s denial of the consequences of the war only add to the complexity of this deeply entrenched conflict.
Read More @ www.bbc.com
