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Hamas-Israel conflict

The Australian Government is providing consular assistance to Australians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and supporting registered Australias.

Australian government officials from DFAT and other agencies have been deployed to the region to support assisted departures.

More than 1500 Australians have left Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (assisted and independently).

Australia is monitoring developments closely as the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates. This information will be updated as required in line with the situation.

Travel advice, consular assistance and registration

Australians in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories are encouraged to register with the DFAT crisis registration portal. Australians already registered with DFAT do not need to register again.

Australians in need of emergency consular assistance or that require assistance with departure should contact the Australian Government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from within Australia).

Check the Smartraveller website and social media channels for the latest advice and travel updates.

Humanitarian assistance

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is grave, with more than 1.4 million people displaced, access to water very limited and humanitarian supplies running out. 

Australia calls for safe, unimpeded and sustained access for, humanitarian workers and supplies to enable the delivery of lifesaving support.

Australia has announced $25 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians affected by the conflict in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and region, with a focus on Gaza. Our support will provide essential supplies and support services. This includes:

  • $9 million through the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to provide food, water and medical care to victims of the conflict.
  • $13 million to provide essential support and services with a focus on women and children, to be delivered through UN agencies such as UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
  • $3 million to respond to emerging humanitarian needs as a result of the conflict.

Australia’s humanitarian assistance was announced on 14 October and 26 October, 2023.

Australia continues to monitor and assess the humanitarian situation and stands ready to provide further support.

Advice for people wanting to donate

The Australian Government is actively monitoring the humanitarian situation and consulting with humanitarian agencies and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) as they assess funding requirements and implement response plans.

The Australian Government is providing funding through UN agencies, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which have strong procedures in place to manage risks and comply with counter-terrorism financing and Australian sanctions laws.

Donated goods may not meet the needs of the affected population and can be inappropriate for the climate and culture. Managing these donations can also cause challenges for relief authorities in Australia and in-country. For more information on how to donate responsibly please visit: Donate Responsibly.

Additional information on risks of donating:

Australia has listed Hamas as a terrorist organisation, and it is also a designated entity subject to counter-terrorism financing sanctions under the Australian sanctions law. It is a criminal offence to fund listed terrorist organisations, either directly or indirectly. It is also a criminal offence for a person to provide or collect funds, where that person knows or is reckless to the fact that the funds will be used to facilitate or engage in a terrorist act.

Australians who remit money to a family member or friend in the Occupied Palestinian Territories may be committing an offence under the Criminal Code or sanctions law if:

  • the money is provided with the intention it be made available to Hamas (or another listed terrorist organisation or designated person or entity), or
  • they are aware there is substantial risk the money will be provided to Hamas (or another listed terrorist organisation or designated person or entity).

There is a risk that donated funds may be misused for the purpose of terrorism financing.

To mitigate against this risk, it is important that due diligence is conducted and  proper processes are in place to ensure  funds are protected from misuse, are being used towards their charitable purpose, and the persons or entities they deal with are not designated under Australian sanctions law or the criminal code.

The Australian Government Listed Terrorist Organisations website and a Consolidated List of all designated persons and entities are available as tools to assist the public in undertaking their due diligence checks. We also recommend reviewing the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission website where it is possible to check if a charity is registered with ACNC as well as access useful information on donations more broadly.

The Australian Government's funding agreements with partners contain strict requirements designed to assist Australia in meeting its counter-terrorism financing, anti-money laundering, anti-fraud and anti-corruption obligations.

Media releases, speeches and statements

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