Families Of Gaza War Victims Refused To Enter Australia

Family of refugees in Gaza/DOK UNRWA

JAKARTA - Australian authorities have refused to enter the children of an Israeli war victim who died in the Gaza Strip despite having a brother living in Australia.

Zuhair El Henday, who has lived in New South Wales (NSW) for several years, said he had tried his best but failed to get a visa for his family who still live in Gaza.

"I have proven that I am a true citizen and I am contributing to this country, contributing to the community. So why am I not entitled to bring my family here so that they are safe?" El Henday told SBS News as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, August 17.

His sister Lubna and her husband, two sons and son-in-law were killed in an Israeli air attack on their home in Gaza City last November. Meanwhile, El Henday's three nephews survived the attack.

El Henday's revelations came after Australia's latest opposition leader Peter Dutton's demand to ban Palestinians fleeing Gaza from entering Australia.

These demands have sparked strong reactions from governments and civil society organizations.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said opposition leaders always wanted to divide society.

"Peter Dutton always wants to divide. We will listen to the security agency when it comes to national security," Albanese said.

Similarly, the President of the Palestinian Australian Advocacy Network, Nasser Mashni, criticized Dutton and said the charges were embarrassing.

Israel, which ignores UN Security Council resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire, has faced international condemnation amid brutal attacks that have continued in Gaza since last October 7 attacks by Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

Israeli attacks since then have killed more than 40,000 people, mostly women and children, and injured more than 92,400 people, according to local health authorities.

More than 10 months since Israel's brutal attack, much of Gaza's territory has been devastated amid a blockade on food, clean water, and medicines.

Israel is accused of committing genocide in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering it to immediately stop military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians sought refuge from war before being attacked on May 6.