Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has slammed Australia as ‘shameful’, as it is revealed that Anthony Albanese’s government will recognise a Palestinian state within days. 

Netanyahu’s comments came after Israel was criticised at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Sunday after announcing a plan to widen its military offensive by seizing ‘full military control’ of Gaza City. 

Albanese at the weekend used a trip to New Zealand to speak out against Israeli troops entering Gaza and extending the conflict in the Middle East.

‘The idea that it can just be continued is completely unacceptable,’ Albanese said. 

In a joint statement with the New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Albanese added: ‘Any attempt by Israel to escalate hostilities, including by taking control of Gaza City, would be wrong, risk violating international law, and exacerbate the human catastrophe already unfolding inside the Gaza Strip.’

The Albanese government, like many of Australia’s allies, seem destined to announce formal recognition of Palestine, with Nine newspapers reporting that Cabinet is expected to sign off on a final decision on Monday. 

During a rare press conference for the international media overnight, Netanyahu vehemently denied the idea Israel has embarked on a ‘starvation policy’ and said it was an ‘absurdity’ to recognise Palestinian statehood. 

‘It defies imagination or understanding how intelligent people around the world, including seasoned diplomats, government leaders, and respected journalists, fall for this absurdity,’ he said. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labelled the plan to widen Israel’s military offensive in Gaza as ‘completely unacceptable’

Australia and New Zealand are part of an international push against a large-scale military operation in Gaza (pictured Albanese with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon)

In his comments, Netanyahu singled out Australia in particular – even though the country has not formally expressed a position on recognition as France, the UK and Canada have done. 

He also claimed a Palestinian statehood would bring war rather than peace. 

‘To have European countries and Australia march into that rabbit hole, just like that is disappointing, and I think it’s actually shameful,’ he said. 

Australia’s recognition of Palestine is dependent on Hamas removing its presence from Gaza.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke labelled Israel’s expanding military operation and show of force in Gaza ‘ridiculous’. 

‘This concept that you’re weak against Hamas unless you’re cruel against the Palestinian people is a ridiculous proposition,’ Burke said. 

Opposition Home Affairs spokesperson Andrew Hastie said that military occupation in Gaza had never been successful. 

‘I look at the weight of history Gaza has never been successfully occupied or pacified by Israel so I’m not sure why we think it would be different now,’ Hastie said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed  Australia as ‘shameful’ for its support of a Palestinian state

Netanyahu vehemently denied the accusations that Israel has led a ‘starvation policy’, denying Palestinians access to food and humanitarian aid (pictured, starving Palestinians including women and children holding pots wait to receive food distributed by a charity organisation)

International recognition for Palestine so far is also contingent on reforming the Palestinian Authority – which is the alternative governing force – and positioning it as the ruler of Gaza, with the commitment that Israel is left in peace. 

The Australian government has faced growing pressure from protesters after thousands marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Authorities believed around 90,000 people arrived at the Harbour Bridge on August 4 and took part in the pro-Palestine ‘March for Humanity’. 

Joshua Lees of the Palestine Action Group, which organised the rally, claimed the protest’s attendance was up to 300,000 people – three times greater than police’s early estimate.

Netanyahu’s stance comes after Australia participated in yet another joint statement with Britain, Canada, France and other allies in condemning Israel’s actions. 

In July, Australia was one of 28 countries urging Israel to drastically increase the supply of aid in the Gaza Strip following images of starving children and reports civilians were being shot outside humanitarian depots.   

Countries around the world have called for Israel to drastically increase the supply of aid in Gaza following reports civilians were being shot outside humanitarian depots (pictured, man mourns over the body of a loved one killed while seeking aid in the northern Gaza Strip)

It comes after Australia faced mounting pressure from Pro-Palestine supporters, with tens of thousands marching across the Sydney Harbour Bridge (pictured)

Health officials said that 20 Palestinians seeking aid were shot dead on Saturday, and 11 adults died of malnutrition-related causes in the past 24 hours, as the growing international criticism of Israel came with pleas to allow far more food to reach people in the besieged enclave.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said the new adult deaths from malnutrition-related causes over the past 24 hours brought the total to 114 since it began counting such deaths in June. 

It said that 98 children have died of malnutrition-related causes since the war began with the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, with militants killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251.

The toll from hunger isn’t included in the ministry’s death toll of 61,300 Palestinians in the war. 

The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, does not distinguish between fighters or civilians, but says around half of the dead have been women and children.

The UN and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on war casualties.