Australia has joined a coalition of 23 countries demanding the full resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza and accusing Israel of politicising the delivery of essential food and medicine to Palestinian civilians.

The joint statement, signed by Foreign Minister Penny Wong alongside counterparts from the UK, France, Canada, Germany, and other nations, condemned Israel’s severe restrictions on aid as the crisis in Gaza deepens.

The ministers warned that limiting assistance is endangering lives and breaching international humanitarian norms.

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“It places beneficiaries and aid workers at risk, undermines the role and independence of the UN and our trusted partners, and links humanitarian aid to political and military objectives,” the statement said.

“Gaza’s people must receive the aid they desperately need.”

The call follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that some aid would be allowed into Gaza following an 11-week blockade. However, aid agencies and the United Nations have slammed the move as wholly insufficient, saying it does little to address the mass hunger and medical shortages facing Gaza’s population.

Netanyahu defended the policy, describing it as a controlled model to deliver “just enough to prevent hunger.”

He also reiterated Israel’s goal of taking full control of Gaza and has ordered intensified ground operations, including in the southern city of Khan Yunis.

Addressing criticism from Israel’s international allies, Netanyahu admitted even close supporters have drawn a line at famine: “They come to me and say this: ‘We’re giving you all the support to achieve victory. But there’s one thing we cannot accept — we cannot handle images of starvation.’”

While Australia has joined calls for unimpeded humanitarian access, it has not gone as far as Canada, France, and the United Kingdom, which in a separate statement warned of potential “concrete actions,” including sanctions, if Israel does not halt its offensive and lift aid restrictions.

Those governments described the resumed deliveries as “wholly inadequate” and labelled the military escalation “egregious.”

The 23-nation coalition also demanded Hamas release all remaining hostages and allow the free and impartial distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.

“Humanitarian aid should never be politicised,” the ministers said, “and Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change.”

On the ground, aid groups report catastrophic conditions.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher described the resumed deliveries as “a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed,” warning that the entire population faces starvation.

Over 53,000 people have reportedly been killed in Gaza, and more than 120,000 injured, with the majority believed to be civilians.

In Australia, aid groups are pressuring the Albanese government to take further action.

Save the Children CEO Matt Tinkler said Australia must now consider stronger measures: “We are well beyond the point of words — Australia must now be prepared to match its strong rhetoric with decisive action.”

As the humanitarian crisis worsens, international pressure is mounting on Israel to end restrictions on lifesaving assistance — and on countries like Australia to back their statements with consequences.