AUSTRALIA PLEDGING A$10 MILLION IN HUMANITARIAN AID FOR GAZA

SYDNEY, Sept 23 (Bernama-dpa) -- The Australian government on Monday said it would provide a further A$10 million (US$6.8 million) in humanitarian aid for Gaza, reported German news agency dpa.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the funding would provide "lifesaving assistance, with a focus on women and girls" through United Nations agencies UNICEF and UNFPA. 

"Australia's support will help address the dire humanitarian situation with the delivery of nutrition and essential hygiene and health products," Wong said.

"Rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian relief must reach civilians, and aid workers must be protected to enable their lifesaving work. We continue to press for a ceasefire, the protection of civilians and the release of hostages."

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy called the situation in the Gaza Strip "catastrophic."

"Civilians should not be made to pay the price for the horrendous acts of others. The suffering must stop," Conroy said.

Canberra has committed A$82.5 million in humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the Gaza war. On October 7 militants from Hamas and other extremist groups killed more than 1,200 people in Israel and took about 250 hostage, triggering the war.

More than 41,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since then.

Negotiations for a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel and the return of the remaining hostages, mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt have been at an impasse for months.

--BERNAMA-dpa