Australia to officially recognise Palestinian state

However, he said the state would be recognised only if Hamas does not play a role in future governance.

"Australia will recognise the state of Palestine. Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own, predicated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority," Albanese was quoted as saying by ABC News.

"A two-state solution is humanity's best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza," he said.

Israel's goal is not to occupy Gaza, says Benjamin Netanyahu

PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said Israel has no plans to occupy Gaza but to free it from Hamas, the organisation that attacked Israel in 2023 and led to the ongoing conflict in the area.

Gazans are "begging us and begging the world" to be freed from Hamas, Netanyahu was quoted as saying by BBC.

"Our goal is not to occupy Gaza. Our goal is to free Gaza from Hamas terrorists," he said.

He said the war can end if Hamas decides to free hostages and even agrees to put down its arms.