'Dire': Australia urges Israel to allow aid into Gaza

Detailed summary

Australia has joined countries including the UK to pressure Israel to allow aid into Gaza before the winter hits the already flood-ravaged region.

Australia has joined close allies in urging Israel to remove barriers to humanitarian aid entering Gaza after severe flooding hit the already war-ravaged region.

The foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom signed a joint statement urging immediate intervention before the change in seasons.

"As winter takes hold in Gaza, the humanitarian situation on the ground is dire," the joint statement said as the local population continues clean-up efforts after a flooding event.

The United Nations reported five people were killed and thousands of families lost their shelters after heavy rains hit the region in recent days.

Floodwaters rose to 1.5m in some locations with local authorities unable to respond to the thousands of calls for help.

Nearly two-thirds of Gaza's population live in tents or temporary shelters.

"People in Gaza desperately need shelter and humanitarian assistance," the foreign ministers statement continued.

"Yet 150,000 tents and other vital supplies are being held at the border and prevented from entering Gaza.

"This situation is entirely reversible - and there is still time to act before the winter fully sets in."

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