‘Horrific, Unacceptable’: Australian Foreign Minister Calls for Ceasefire in Rafah

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called on Israel to halt its operations in Rafah following a fire that killed a number of Gazan civilians. Ms. Wong posted a statement and video on social media calling for a ceasefire in the region. “Events of the last 24 hours underscore that we must see a humanitarian ceasefire now so that civilians can be protected,” she said. “Israel’s strikes have had horrific and unacceptable consequences. “Australia has been very clear that Israel must not proceed with its operation in Rafah—where more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are sheltering.” The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) says it is investigating the cause of the fire in Rafah that it says broke out in the process of hunting down two senior Hamas officials....