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This is the 52nd edition of Australia in Brief, revised and updated in February 2021

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Crisis Hub

Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Region

Australia is deeply concerned by conflict in the Middle East and we are monitoring developments in the region very closely. Welcome the announcement of ceasefires.

The Australian Government is providing consular assistance to Australians in Lebanon, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Consular assistance and travel advice

Australians in need of emergency consular assistance or that require assistance with departure should contact the Australian Government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from within Australia).

Check the Smartraveller website and social media channels for the latest advice and travel updates.

Humanitarian assistance

While humanitarian access to Gaza has improved since the ceasefire agreement, much work will be required to address the immediate humanitarian situation, and significant challenges remain.

These include security concerns, damage to infrastructure like roads, the presence of unexploded ordnance and the mass movement of internally displaced people.

In Gaza, Australia’s funding is being directed to United Nations (UN) agencies and the Red Cross and Red Crescent movements to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance with a focus on the needs of women and children. We will continue to act in partnership with the international community to help meet urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza.

The conflict in the Middle East is also having humanitarian impacts on civilians in Lebanon.

Since 7 October 2023, Australia has committed $94.5 million in humanitarian assistance to support civilians impacted by conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and to respond to the refugee crisis in the region.

Australia's current funding includes:

  • $13 million through the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to provide food, water and medical care.
  • $13 million to provide essential support and services with a focus on women and children, to be delivered through UN agencies such as UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
  • $3 million to respond to emerging humanitarian needs as a result of the conflict.
  • $11.5 million to refugee programs in Lebanon and Jordan at this time of increasing regional instability.
  • $4 million to UNICEF to provide urgent services, including for women and children.
  • $2 million to the new mechanism of the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza to facilitate expanded humanitarian access into Gaza.
  • $6 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)
  • $10 million in response to the humanitarian needs caused by the ongoing crisis in Syria.
  • $10 million to the World Food Programme for life-saving food assistance to civilians in Gaza.
  • $10 million to UNICEF and UNFPA for life-saving assistance, with a focus on women and girls.
  • $2 million in humanitarian assistance to UNICEF to support civilians in Lebanon, impacted by the escalation of conflict.
  • $10 million in humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected civilians in Lebanon.

Advice for people wanting to donate

Lebanon

The Australian Government is actively monitoring the humanitarian situation in Lebanon and consulting with humanitarian agencies and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).

The Australian Government is providing funding through UN agencies, which have strong procedures in place to manage risks and comply with counter-terrorism financing and Australian sanctions laws.

Those wishing to make a monetary donation can visit ACFID’s website for information on its consolidated appeal.

Occupied Palestinian Territories

The Australian Government is actively monitoring the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and consulting with humanitarian agencies and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) as they assess funding requirements and implement response plans.

The Australian Government is providing funding through UN agencies, and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which have strong procedures in place to manage risks and comply with counter-terrorism financing and Australian sanctions laws.

Donated goods

Donated goods may not meet the needs of the affected population and can be inappropriate for the climate and culture. Managing these donations can also cause challenges for relief authorities in Australia and in-country. For more information on how to donate responsibly, please visit: Donate Responsibly.

Additional information on risks of donating:

Australia has listed Hamas and Hizballah as a terrorist organisations and both are also designated entities subject to counter-terrorism financing sanctions under the Australian sanctions law. It is a criminal offence to fund terrorist organisations, either directly or indirectly. It is also a criminal offence for a person to provide or collect funds where that person knows or is reckless to the fact that the funds will be used to facilitate or engage in a terrorist act.

Australians who remit money to a family member or friend in the Occupied Palestinian Territories or Lebanon may be committing an offence under the Criminal Code or sanctions law if:

  • the money is provided with the intention it be made available to Hamas or Hizballah (or another terrorist organisation or designated person or entity), or
  • they are aware there is substantial risk the money will be provided to Hamas or Hizballah (or another terrorist organisation or designated person or entity).

There is a risk that donated funds may be misused for the purpose of terrorism financing.

To mitigate against this risk, it is important that due diligence is conducted and proper processes are in place to ensure funds are protected from misuse, are being used towards their charitable purpose and the persons or entities they deal with are not designated under Australian sanctions law or the Criminal Code. Liability under these respective schemes is dependent on particular factual circumstances including the knowledge and intention of the person.

The Australian Government Listed Terrorist Organisations website and a Consolidated List of all designated persons and entities are available as tools to assist the public in undertaking their due diligence checks. We also recommend reviewing the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) website where it is possible to check if a charity is registered with ACNC as well as access useful information on donations more broadly.

The Australian Government's funding agreements with partners contain strict requirements designed to assist Australia in meeting its counter-terrorism financing, anti-money laundering, anti-fraud and anti-corruption obligations.

If you think you have breached or are at risk of breaching Australian sanctions laws, you should contact the Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) via Pax or by email: sanctions@dfat.gov.au. The ASO will work with you to identify the causes of non-compliance and help prevent any future recurrences.

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