On Monday morning, Australia, Canada, Italy, and the United Kingdom released a joint statement urging Israel to allow 150,000 tents and vital supplies into Gaza ahead of winter.
The four foreign ministers described the humanitarian situation on the ground as dire as winter takes hold. Recent floods brought further suffering during the first storm of the winter, leaving people in urgent need of shelter and assistance.
“We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom, are clear that as winter takes hold in Gaza, the humanitarian situation on the ground is dire,” the statement said.
"What's happening in Gaza is a preventable, predictable winter crisis". – @UNReliefChief https://t.co/L480XuhCV0 pic.twitter.com/NYyGn64p8R
Did You Know? Australia’s cabinet minister Madeleine King told ABC radio that the four nations worked on the joint statement to ensure that people affected by the war in the Middle East receive the assistance they need.
Joint Demand for Border Access
The ministers emphasized that Israel has time to act before winter fully sets in. They called on the Israeli government to stop delays and permit immediate, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza.
“This situation is entirely reversible … we today urge the government of Israel to stop the delays now and allow immediate, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza,” the foreign ministers said.
They said that border crossings must open and tents must enter. Dual-use items necessary for humanitarian operations and early recovery also need entry authorization before it is too late.
Protecting #Palestine Refugees is at the heart of UNRWA’s mandate. As winter weather adds to the hardship facing families in #Gaza, adequate shelter and protection from the cold are urgent needs. Humanitarian organisations need both access to bring essential supplies into Gaza… pic.twitter.com/g0yfhd6E09
Storm Damage and Casualties in Gaza
Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been left in waterlogged and damaged tents following deadly storms over the past week. Thousands more remain without shelter, and sanitation infrastructure has suffered destruction.
Heavy rains and wind battered fragile, leaky tents, resulting in the deaths of at least four Palestinian children and women. Meanwhile, the European Union underlined the need to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, noting deep alarm over a recent airstrike on the Nasser Hospital, according to a statement from the Council of the European Union.
As heavy rains flood tents and shelters across #Gaza, UNRWA teams continue working on the ground to support displaced families. From clearing blocked drains and pumping out floodwater to providing cash assistance so families can purchase blankets and materials to repair damaged… pic.twitter.com/RLtxEEmMCJ
Expert Insight: International pressure is mounting as diplomatic channels push for adherence to ceasefire frameworks and the comprehensive plan for Gaza, though coordination hurdles and border restrictions continue to impede recovery efforts.
Greens leader calls for material action against Israel
In Australia, Greens leader and foreign affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge dismissed government statements as insufficient. He argued that harsh words would prompt no response from Israel and called for material actions such as war cabinet sanctions, ending the two-way arms trade, and sanctioning illegal settlements.
The severe flooding and winter conditions that have struck Gaza are aggravating an already grave humanitarian situation. We urge Israel to allow immediate, unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance and early recovery support at scale, and to reopen… pic.twitter.com/j0e9Jh8p8E
“The Israeli Government has not responded to harsh words from Australia before, they won’t now,” Shoebridge said. He added that Australia previously failed to join allies in backing import bans on trade from illegal Israeli settlements.
The foreign ministers urged all parties to implement the comprehensive plan for Gaza, respect the ceasefire, and fulfill obligations under international humanitarian law. They stressed that aid must reach the people who need it.
Supplies requested by four nations and weather impacts
What specific supplies are the four nations asking Israel to permit into Gaza?
The joint statement urges Israel to allow 150,000 tents and other vital supplies, including dual-use items necessary for humanitarian operations and early recovery, to enter through the border crossings.
How have recent weather events impacted displaced residents?
Deadly storms over the past week left tens of thousands of Palestinians in waterlogged and damaged tents, destroyed sanitation infrastructure, and left thousands without shelter. Heavy rains and wind also caused the deaths of at least four Palestinian children and women.
What political actions did critics demand from the Australian government?
Australia’s Greens leader and foreign affairs spokesperson, David Shoebridge, argued that the government should implement material actions such as sanctions on the war cabinet, ending the two-way arms trade, and sanctioning illegal settlements.