Topic analysis

Australia ‘firmly believes’ Lebanon should be included in Middle East ceasefire as Israel escalates Beirut bombing

Australia, along with Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Sierra Leone, and the UK, issued a joint statement expressing deep concern about the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and calling for the Middle East ceasefire to include Lebanon. The statement follows Israel's largest attack on Lebanon since the war with Hezbollah began, which killed at least 254 people. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned that continued fighting in Lebanon risks undermining the broader regional ceasefire.