As Israel stormed a major hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killing patients, Australians took to the streets across the country to call for a permanent ceasefire.
Israel has announced its intention to launch a ground war in Rafah, where more than 1 million people are trying to survive.
South Africa had lodged a request with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to urgently intervene.
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The ICJ 聽on February 16 that the 鈥減erilous situation鈥, particularly in Rafah, 鈥渄emands immediate and effective implementation of the provisional measures indicated by the court鈥 late last month.
It did not issue new orders, but said the 鈥渟tate of Israel remains bound to fully comply with obligations under the Genocide Convention and with the said Order, including by ensuring the safety and security of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip鈥.
Electronic Intifada reported on February 17 that Hussam Abu Safiya, a doctor at Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, said . He said generalised hunger and the spread of disease is widespread. Nursing mothers are also malnourished, the doctor said, affecting the health of their babies.
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More than 1000 people protested for a free Palestine in Boorloo/Perth on February 16. Alex Salmon reports they called on Labor to back up its recent call for a ceasefire with action, including cutting diplomatic, economic and military ties to Israel until it ceases fire on Gaza.
Students marched the Anthony Albanese's electorate office on February 16, where a protest camp has been set up by Families for Palestine.
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The next day thousands took to the streets in Gadigal/Sydney in the 19th weekend mass demonstration in a row.
Peter Boyle reports that the protest rejected Anthony Albanese鈥檚 fake ceasefire call, which he made conditional on all the remaining Israeli hostages being released.
Speakers聽condemned Labor for continuing to supply the Israeli state with arms and signal intelligence from the US-Australia Pine Gap spy base.
Gumbaynggirr Dunghutti Bundjalung First Nations activist Elizabeth Jarrett urged the crowd to 鈥渒eep coming back鈥, saying: 鈥淣one of us will be free until Palestine is free鈥.
At the Gold Coast march for Palestine on February 17, participants carried a scroll with the names of children who had been murdered by聽Israel.
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Jacob Andrewartha reports that almost 10000 protesters joined the Palestine rally in Naarm/Melbourne on February 18, marching from the State Library to occupy the Flinders Street Station intersection. It was the biggest protest so far this year.
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Opposition to Israel鈥檚 bombing of Rafah was an important focus. Speakers criticised the Anthony Albanese government鈥檚聽聽as completely inadequate, with the protesters calling for a permanent ceasefire.
John Shipton,聽Julian Assange鈥檚 father, was one of the featured speakers. He reminded the protest聽about聽the prospect of Assange being extradited聽to the United States聽and never seeing the the light of day again. His 鈥渃rime鈥 was to publish material showing US war crimes in Iraq.
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鈥檚 Bringing Back Love 鈥撀燜ly a Kite for Palestine on February 18 attracted families, many of whom had聽made their kites the day before with the assistance of the and .
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Sarah Hathway reports the event聽showed solidarity with the children in Gaza, who are still making kites, despite the rubble, fear and hunger.
Alex Bainbridge reports from Meanjin/Brisbane that around 1500 rallied and marched on February 18, a bigger rally compared to the previous one.
Rally chair Remah Naji called out the Australian government's description of Israel as a "friend" in the recent joint statement with New Zealand and Canada. "People who commit genocide are not our friends!"
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See more photos on the .
[To get involved in solidarity with聽Palestine聽check the 麻豆传媒 calendar listing in your city.]