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Rudd supports diplomatic solution to Gaza battle

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-05 16:03

CANBERRA -- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Monday his government recognized Israel's right of self-defense but supported a diplomatic solution to bring an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian man reacts in front of the bodies of three children killed by an Israeli tank shell, one of them his son, at Shifa hospital in Gaza January 5, 2009. An Israeli tank shell killed three Palestinian children in their home in eastern Gaza City on Monday, medical officials said. [Agencies]

Tens of thousands of Israeli troops backed by tanks have battled Hamas fighters as the Palestinian death toll from the offensive had passed 510.

Rudd told reporters in Sydney that "Australia recognizes Israel's right to self-defense," but added that the ongoing violence highlighted the need for a solution to the conflict.

"The escalation in the conflict, following the insurgence by Israeli ground forces, underlines the absolute importance of bringing about an effective diplomatic solution," he said.

"Any diplomatic solution must find a way of bringing a halt to rocket attacks against Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas. Any diplomatic solution must also bring about a halt to arms shipments into Gaza. Any diplomatic solution must also involve an immediate cease-fire. And in that connection, we the Australian government support the actions of the United Nations now in seeking to bring about an immediate cease-fire," Australian Associated Press quoted him as saying.

Rudd also acknowledged that many Australians were concerned about the humanitarian impacts of the conflict and called on Israel to recognize basic human rights.

"It is critical therefore for Israel to meet its humanitarian obligations under international humanitarian law, towards the people of Gaza, ensuring that they have access to basic goods, food and humanitarian assistance and medical supplies," he said.