ZFA calls for more humanitarian aid to Gaza

Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) has issued a statement urging increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, while placing ultimate responsibility for the crisis on Hamas and backing Israel’s efforts to defeat the terror group.

ZFA President Jeremy Leibler stated, “The horrors of 7 October must never be repeated,” Leibler said. “That is why we stand shoulder to shoulder with the State of Israel, as its people fight a just war to secure the removal of Hamas from power and the return of the hostages.”

 

Leibler acknowledged the suffering of Palestinian civilians, describing the reported hunger in parts of Gaza as “deeply troubling.”

“Our humanity also compels us to recognise the pain and suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza,” he said. “We call upon Israel, the United Nations, and their counterparts to do everything within their power to ensure that sufficient humanitarian aid flows to Palestinian civilians without delay. That is their collective moral obligation.”

He welcomed Israel’s recent steps to increase aid access, including opening new corridors and pausing operations to allow aid distribution, but emphasised that Hamas bears full responsibility for the humanitarian situation.

“Hamas started this war, refuses to release the hostages, refuses to accept a ceasefire agreement, deliberately steals aid to fund its war machine, and sabotages its distribution,” he said. “It is essential that Hamas returns to negotiations and accepts the hostage exchange and ceasefire agreement that is on the table and, ultimately, is removed from power in Gaza.”

Leibler’s comments follow increasing international scrutiny of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and growing calls for a resolution to the conflict that began when Hamas terrorists carried out a deadly surprise attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, murdering more than 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages.