Refugee Council of Australia welcomes ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza

The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, and the commitment to end the fighting, facilitate the release of hostages and increase humanitarian aid. While this represents a necessary step towards peace, we must continue to focus on ensuring the safety and protection of those affected by the conflict.

RCOA urges the Australian Government to take urgent action to support the humanitarian efforts and to work with international partners to help support the opening of the Rafah border to allow people from Gaza with visitor visas to evacuate to Australia and to facilitate greater aid corridors.

Australia must continue to show leadership in both offering refuge to those in need and advocating for long-term solutions to the crisis.

RCOA’s Deputy CEO, Adama Kamara, says the Australian Government’s commitment to a peaceful resolution must be accompanied by practical measures to provide immediate safety and stability to those displaced by this devastating conflict.

“While the announcement of a ceasefire provides hope, the humanitarian crisis is far from over. The Government must act urgently and ensure that those fleeing are given the protection that they deserve. We must provide refuge to those in need and support the opening of safe corridors.”

As of 5 December 2024, Australia has granted more than 800 Palestinians, who arrived in Australia on tourist visas, temporary humanitarian visas with work, Medicare and study rights. It is imperative the Australian Government continues to swiftly process and transition people to humanitarian visas with options for permanency.

We have also written to the Government about the high number of visitor visas refused for Palestinians from Gaza, urging Australia to adopt a principled, predictable approach to humanitarian evacuation and to ensure that those in need of safety can access it.

Since the outset of the war, RCOA has been calling for an immediate ceasefire, the return of all the hostages and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure the protection and wellbeing of those who have been impacted. We remain committed to advocating for practical solutions to end the suffering of those affected by this devastating conflict.

We will continue to advocate for the safety, dignity, and rights of those seeking refuge in Australia and ensure those desperately trying to reunite with family are able to do so.