[ad_1] A large gathering of Australians celebrating the Hamas attack on Israel has been condemned by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The crowd gath
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A large gathering of Australians celebrating the Hamas attack on Israel has been condemned by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The crowd gathered outside of Lakemba station in Western Sydney on Sunday night, cheering on the surprise assault by the Palestinian Islamist militant group.
The death toll has climbed to more than 700 Israelis and more than 400 Palestinians.
Sheik Ibrahim Dadoun reportedly told the gathering it was a “day of victory”.
Mr Albanese condemned the land, sea, and air assault by Hamas and those who gathered in support of the violence.
“There’s no victory with the slaughter of innocent people,” Mr Albanese told Sunrise.
“The capturing of the people and taking them back to Gaza represents an extraordinary action by Hamas. And Israel, of course, has a right to defend itself, and it will.”
A video shared to X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, by the Australian Jewish Association showed fireworks being set off in the street in neighbouring suburb Greenacre.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the “targeting of civilians and the taking of hostages is never a cause for celebration”.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is working to identify if any Australians had been caught up in the attack on Israel.
Senator Wong told reporters in Melbourne on Monday the government had not been informed that any Australians had been killed, hospitalised or taken hostage.
“We urge Australians in Israel, if you have not already done so, to contact your families to assure us all of your safety,” she said.
Official travel advice has been updated to urge people to not travel to Gaza and areas near the strip’s border.
“Authorities are also monitoring security on Israel’s northern border and have asked residents of some towns to evacuate, including in Rosh Hanikra, Adamit, Bezet and Hanita,” Smart Traveller has warned.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed he had ordered a group of warships to be sent to the eastern Mediterranean amid the conflict.
Senator Wong said there was “no request” at this stage for Australia to provide military support.
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