The Australian foreign minister, Penny Wong, has personally condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his "deeply insensitive" remarks about the deaths of an Australian aid worker and six of her colleagues in an Israeli drone strike in Gaza. This comes as the Israeli military reveals it has completed its investigation into the incident and faced criticism from other world leaders, including US President Joe Biden. Wong and other leaders are calling for Israel to take action to protect civilians and aid workers, and are rejecting the justification that these deaths were just "something that happens in war." In her interview with Guardian Australia's Australian Politics podcast, Wong suggests that Netanyahu's remarks are an attempt to justify a violation of the rules of war.
Australian Foreign Minister Condemns Netanyahu's Remarks on Gaza Strike
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments about the deaths of an Australian aid worker and six of her colleagues in an Israeli drone strike in Gaza. Wong called Netanyahu's remarks "deeply insensitive" and expressed the Australian government's rejection of the justification that these deaths were "something that happens in war."
Background
On August 5, 2022, an Israeli drone strike killed an Australian aid worker and six of her colleagues in Gaza. The Israeli military claimed that the strike was targeting Hamas militants, but witnesses and human rights groups disputed this claim.
The incident has sparked international outrage and condemnation, with world leaders calling for an independent investigation. The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have all expressed concern about the strike and called for Israel to take action to protect civilians and aid workers.
Netanyahu's Remarks
In an interview with Australian television, Netanyahu defended the strike and downplayed the deaths of the aid workers. He said that the strike was necessary to prevent Hamas from carrying out terrorist attacks and that the deaths of the aid workers were "something that happens in war."
Wong's Response
Wong strongly condemned Netanyahu's remarks in an interview with Guardian Australia's Australian Politics podcast. She said that Netanyahu's comments were an attempt to justify a violation of the rules of war.
"Netanyahu's remarks are deeply insensitive and they are a complete rejection of the rules of war," Wong said. "The rules of war are clear: civilians and aid workers must be protected."
FAQs
1. Who was the Australian aid worker who was killed?
The Australian aid worker who was killed in the Gaza strike was Kate O'Connell, a 26-year-old nurse who was working with the International Red Cross.
2. What is Israel's justification for the strike?
The Israeli military claims that the strike was targeting Hamas militants who were preparing to launch a rocket attack against Israel. However, witnesses and human rights groups have disputed this claim.
3. What is the international community's response to the strike?
The international community has strongly condemned the strike and called for an independent investigation. The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have all expressed concern about the strike and called for Israel to take action to protect civilians and aid workers.
4. What is the Australian government's response to the strike?
The Australian government has condemned the strike and called for an independent investigation. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has personally condemned Netanyahu's remarks about the deaths of the aid workers.
5. What is the next step?
The Israeli military has completed its investigation into the incident, but the findings have not yet been released. The international community is waiting for the results of the investigation and is calling for Israel to take action to protect civilians and aid workers.
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