Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said a truce in the Israel-Hamas war marked significant progress in the conflict, as he welcomed Hamas’s release of hostages.
According to reports, Hamas fighters released 24 hostages on the first day of the war’s first ceasefire on Friday, after guns fell silent in the Gaza Strip for the first time in seven weeks.
Meanwhile, Australia’s government has previously called for a cease-fire and harshly criticized Hamas, while urging Israel to exercise restraint in order to minimize civilian casualties.
“We have consistently called for all hostages to be released, for the protection of civilian lives and for steps towards a sustainable ceasefire and a long-term, enduring peace,” Albanese said on X.
In Australia, the conflict has triggered protests from both Jewish and Palestinian groups, with thousands turning out for rallies in the country’s largest cities.
