Political leaders welcome hostages’ return
'We are just very moved and we stand with the hostages and their families,' said Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Australian political leaders have responded with emotion and relief following the release of all 20 living Israeli hostages from Gaza captivity on Monday, after more than two years held by Hamas.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the scenes as “extraordinarily moving” shortly after the first hostages were released under a US-brokered ceasefire deal.
“This is a day of immense relief for so many people in Israel and in Australia. It’s also a day of loss and grief for those for whom there is no one returning,” Wong said.
“We are just very moved and we stand with the hostages and their families. We’ve been calling for hostages to be released from day one.”
Wong told ABC, “This is a singular achievement by President Trump.”
Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Wong issued a joint statement welcoming the ceasefire and hostage agreement and urging “all parties to respect its terms and safeguard a lasting peace”.
The duo emphasised that the agreement must mark “the beginning of a new chapter for the Israeli and Palestinian people” and reiterated Australia’s commitment to a two-state solution.
“Australia remains unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas’ atrocities on 7 October, and its ongoing acts of terror. There must be no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza,” they said.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley called Monday “a day of hope for Israel, and for all who believe that peace is possible after much pain”.
“While we welcome the return of many, we also pause to remember those who were lost and the loved ones they leave behind,” she said.
“May this moment mark the beginning of enduring peace in the region.”
Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash praised US President Donald Trump for his role.
“The world has witnessed a moment of true leadership,” she said. “Under President Trump’s guidance, the Israeli hostages are finally free and reunited with their families.
“The Coalition shares in the relief and joy of this moment that reminds us what strength, conviction and diplomacy can achieve.”
Cash earlier wrote on Facebook, “Despite what they say, the Albanese Government had no part in this success, but Australians everywhere will welcome this news.”
Jewish opposition frontbencher Julian Leeser wrote on X, “Such an honour to be on Sky News tonight with @sharrimarkson as we watched the hostages come home.”
Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns said on Friday that the hostage and ceasefire deal “fills me with hope for a better future”.
“The hard task of building a future of peace is still ahead. For Palestinians. For Israelis. And for their loved ones around the world,” he said.
Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonno Duniam suggested Australia should “seriously consider” deploying peacekeepers to Gaza as part of ongoing stabilisation efforts.
“I think we need to be ready to support efforts of Western allies like the US to ensure that this peace lasts, that the next steps can be achieved,” he told Sky News.