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Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has welcomed the Israel-Hamas agreement, saying she hoped it was the first step in the path to a “sustainable ceasefire” between the two.
She also revealed the government had granted temporary visas to 860 Palestinians trapped in Gaza and almost 1800 Israelis to allow them to relocate to Australia.
Wong said the visas for 1800 Israelis and 800 Palestinians were granted through the normal processes.
“These people have been granted visas in accordance with our normal processes; they’ve been subjected to character, identity and security checks,” she said.
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“That is both cohorts, those in Gaza and … people in Israel. I would make this point though, in relation to those in Gaza, that not everyone who gets a visa can leave and, as you know, we’ve been working for weeks to get Australian citizens, permanent residents and their families out of Gaza.
“So far we have 127 who have left, we have 69 we are still assisting. I make that point to say just because people have a visa … given the situation in Gaza, does not mean they will be able to leave as well.”
She said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has prioritised helping Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families out of Gaza.
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