“I think that the worst thing that could happen is any form of civilian return to Gaza,” Ryvchin told ABC radio this morning, prior to the announcement Netanyahu’s cabinet had approved the takeover of Gaza City.

“When you have a situation where Hamas refuses to lay down its arms, refuses to release the hostages, refuses the ceasefire that’s been on the table since the end of May, it leaves no choice but to complete the job militarily.

“And that’s clearly what the [Israeli] prime minister is planning to do.”

He also said the recognition of a Palestinian state was “punitive towards Israel” but said “all signs” pointed towards Australia’s official recognition of statehood.

“‘I’ve seen no compelling arguments why recognising a Palestinian state — that doesn’t exist, in fact — will actually end this conflict rather than exacerbate it,” Ryvchin said.

“What we want to see … is an end to the conflict, an end to sporadic wars in Gaza, flare-ups of violence in the West Bank. We want to see an end to situations where Israelis, generation upon generation, have to fight and booby-trap the alleys and tunnels in South Lebanon and Gaza, or have to live in bomb shelters. That’s no way to live.

“What the Palestinians have had to endure over the last couple of years and beyond isn’t reasonable either.”

— Alexandra Koster