‘We have no time': Listen to the voices from Gaza send a message to Albanese

The Age

a day ago

Palestinians based in Gaza have dismissed Australia's plan to recognise Palestinian statehood, saying it does nothing to alleviate the conditions they face.
Three Gazans have spoken to this masthead since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement, and each expressed their disappointment at how little impact recognition has on their lives.
It marks the first reactions to Albanese's historic decision from Gazans themselves, the people the move is professed to be helping, amid Israel's ongoing bombardment and reported starvation of the population there. The United Nations on Tuesday warned that starvation and malnutrition in Gaza were at the highest levels since the war began.
Dr Ahmed, who asked for his surname to be withheld because of fears he could be targeted by the Israeli military, said the decision represented only 'ink on paper'.
'Really, on the ground, we actually see no impact of this recognition except more killing, genocide and starvation,' he said.
'This recognition would remain ink on paper as long as the genocide doesn't stop immediately.'
Dr Ahmed described what he, as a Gazan, believes governments such as Australia's should be doing for them: 'I recommend countries to recognise our rights as human beings before any political recognition. We have no time. Stop killing, stop starvation, stop genocide.'
Inas, a researcher in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, said while recognition was a 'dream' for the people of Gaza, it was important to first address the violence and starvation they are facing.