Anthony Albanese has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, saying Australia will continue to push for a two-state solution and stressing the need for more humanitarian aid to reach devastated Palestinian areas.

Mediator Qatar said on Thursday that Hamas and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire. The deal is expected to be formally accepted by Israel after a cabinet meeting on Thursday. The first batch of 33 hostages captured by Hamas are expected to be released on Sunday in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, and the wounded in Gaza will be allowed to leave for medical treatment.

Australian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Wong Yin-hyun welcomed the news, saying it came "after 15 months of conflict and the devastating loss of civilian life".

"We urge all parties to respect its terms and maintain lasting peace, including ensuring the immediate release of all hostages and an unhindered and continued increase in humanitarian assistance across Gaza," they said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with all the civilians killed, displaced and held hostage in this conflict, as well as with the many humanitarian workers who have lost their lives in the service of others.

"This agreement is a constructive step towards peace and stability in the region. It must mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. Australia will continue to work with the international community to achieve a two-state solution - a Palestinian state and The State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognized borders.

"We hope this will give the Palestinian people the opportunity to rebuild, reform governance and pursue self-determination."

According to reports, more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, which has also caused a humanitarian disaster and destroyed much of Gaza's infrastructure. The International Court of Justice is examining allegations that Israel committed genocide.

On October 7, 2023, approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed and another 250 were taken hostage. A November 2023 ceasefire broke down a week later, with 100 people released in exchange for 240 women and children held in Israeli prisons.

Albanese and Huang stressed that they "unequivocally" condemned "Hamas' atrocities on October 7 and its continued acts of terror" and reiterated the government's long-standing position that Hamas must have no role in the future governance of Gaza. effect.

"No future Palestinian state can threaten Israel's security," they said.

"We will continue to work with the international community to support the urgent humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza."

Federal Attorney General Marc Dreyfus is currently on a diplomatic visit to Israel. On Thursday, he posted a photo on social media of himself meeting the families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

“Today I met Ella and Daniel in Tel Aviv. On October 7, 2023, both men’s families were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists. 467 days later, they demand that all hostages be returned to their families, which represents our Everyone. A ceasefire must become a reality,” he wrote on X.

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma, a former Australian ambassador to Israel, also welcomed the development.

“This has been driven by growing pressure on Hamas and its allies. Importantly, the deal will lead to the release of some hostages and more humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he wrote on X .

"Hamas should immediately release all remaining hostages."

Green Party leader Adam Bandt said civilian deaths caused by Israel's military operations in Gaza were avoidable and said the federal government should work harder to oppose Israel's actions.

"Australia could have played a very strong role in pushing for an end to the invasion and a permanent end to the occupation," he told ABC radio.

“There are major issues here that must be resolved so that Palestinians and Israelis can achieve a just and lasting peace based on their right to self-determination, and that must start with an end to the occupation.”

On Wednesday, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton again criticized the government's approach to dealing with Israel when asked about the prospect of a ceasefire.

"Of course we support the ceasefire, but we need to ensure that the hostages are released and we need to ensure that terrorist groups are not rewarded," he said.

"In our country, we have historically had a very strong relationship with Israel. Obviously the issue at the moment is that the government doesn't see fit to prioritize that relationship... They are the only democracy in the Middle East and they deserve our support and we should So is providing Israel and its people all we can to support our country’s Jewish heritage.”