Australia, NZ, Canada Call for ICJ Response from Israel, Gaza Ceasefire

26/7/2024 16:41

        Australia, New Zealand and Canada on Friday called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and asked Israel to respond to a United Nations court which last week ruled its occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there were illegal.
        
        "Israel must listen to the concerns of the international community," the leader's statement said.
        
        "The protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement under international humanitarian law. Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas. It must end."
        
        The leaders also said Israel needed to hold extremist settlers accountable for ongoing acts of violence against Palestinians, reverse its settlement program in the West Bank and work towards a two-state solution.
        
        Israel's embassy in Australia on Thursday said it condemned acts of violence against Palestinian communities.