Why are key allies like Australia urging Israel to change its Gaza strategy?

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Australia and Other Allies Urge Israel to Alter Gaza Strategy Amidst Growing Humanitarian Concerns

Australia, alongside other key international partners, is urging Israel to adjust its strategy in the Gaza conflict due to the escalating humanitarian crisis and its impact on global support for the nation. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's current approach is actively undermining Israel's standing. This sentiment echoes concerns previously voiced by US President Biden, who commented that Netanyahu's conduct of the war, particularly if it deviates from Israeli values, is causing more harm than good to Israel.
Diminishing International Support and Humanitarian Catastrophe

Foreign Minister Wong articulated that international backing for Israel is progressively eroding and will continue to do so unless the dire "humanitarian catastrophe" unfolding in Gaza is effectively addressed. She contrasted the global reaction to the October 7th Hamas attack, during which the world expressed significant sympathy and solidarity with Israel, with the current situation. Wong described the ongoing events in Gaza as "horrifying," suggesting that Israel's current trajectory risks further alienation on the international stage.
Scale of Casualties and Displacement in Gaza

The conflict, initiated by the October 7th Hamas attack that resulted in 1,200 deaths and 253 hostages according to Israeli figures, has led to substantial Palestinian casualties. Gaza officials report that Israel's subsequent military operations have killed 31,000 Palestinians. The extensive military actions have displaced a significant portion of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants, with the United Nations estimating that a quarter of the population faces the risk of starvation.
Growing Chorus for Humanitarian Ceasefire

Wong's remarks reflect a broader international trend, with several of Israel's traditional allies, including Canada and New Zealand, increasingly calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Australia, Canada, and New Zealand issued a joint statement last month advocating for such a ceasefire, with Wong indicating that the three nations united to amplify their collective voice. This aligns with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's recent appeal for a truce, who warned that a potential assault on Rafah could plunge the people of Gaza into "an even deeper circle of hell."

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Why are key allies like Australia urging Israel to change its Gaza strategy?

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