PM brands Israel’s denial of starvation reports in Gaza ‘beyond comprehension’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has branded claims from Israeli diplomats that starvation is not occurring in Gaza as “beyond comprehension”.

Albanese was responding directly to the remarks from the Israeli deputy chief of mission Amir Meron on Monday along with similar statements from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A charity distributes meals to Palestinians facing food shortages amid ongoing Israeli attacks and severe restrictions in Gaza on July 28.Credit: Getty Images

Speaking to colleagues in a party room meeting in Canberra on Tuesday, Albanese repeated his criticisms of Hamas’ role in prolonging the conflict but again implored Israel to end the violence.

“While there is a caveat on any information provided by Hamas, it is Israel that has prevented any journalists getting in,” Albanese told the Labor caucus. “Those claims that there is no starvation are beyond comprehension.”

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Albanese was asked a question from one Labor MP, whose name the party did not release, on the timeline for the recognition of the state of Palestine.

Speaking about the conditions for recognition including Hamas being removed from power, the prime minister quoted Nelson Mandela in saying that things can seem impossible until they are not.

Deputy Israeli ambassador Amir Meron told journalists in a briefing on Monday that claims of starvation amounted to Hamas propaganda and relied on “false pictures” presenting a distorted view of the situation in Gaza.

“We don’t recognise any famine or any starvation in the Gaza Strip,” Meron said.

“This is a false campaign that is being [led] by Hamas, taking advantage of sick children in order to show a false claim and false presentation of hunger and starvation.”

With Matthew Knott.

More to come.

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