Australia Calls on Netanyahu to Abandon Plans for Gaza Invasion

Australia today called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw plans for an invasion of Rafah to avoid a major humanitarian disaster there. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that "recognizing the Palestinian state is the only hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East, and we urge Netanyahu's government to abandon its plans for a ground invasion of Rafah." The Australian Foreign Minister urged Israel to make significant and immediate changes in its military campaign to protect civilians.