TRANSCRIPT
As journalists and many other aid organisations begin to pull out of Gaza, doctors remain.
Médecins Sans Frontières psychologist Scarlett Wong has just returned to Australia with a message from her Palestinian colleagues.
"They said, tell your children about us, tell them about our lives and that we love life, that's what they said... That's what they said because they actually do absolutely love life. They're beautiful people, just like you and me."
Now, Médecins Sans Frontières is urging Australia to move from rhetoric to concrete action against Israel.
Addressing the National Press Club in Canberra, International President Dr Christos Christou says the federal government must do more.
"I think Australia has an important role to play. Beyond words, Australia must take immediate concrete actions to hold Israel to account. Australia must apply appropriate sanctions on Israel, as it would to any global state that refuses to comply with UN Security Council resolutions."
At least 45 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Gaza on Monday.
The airstrikes, in the southern city of Rafah, came just two days after the United Nations top court, the International Court of Justice, ordered Israel to end its military offensive there, citing the risk to civilians.
Following the attack of the camps, foreign minister Penny Wong issued this response.
"The death and destruction in Rafah is horrific. This human suffering is unacceptable. We reiterate to the Government of Israel, this cannot continue. We must see an immediate humanitarian ceasefire so that civilians can be protected and Australia continues to support the work of the United States, Qatar and Egypt to that end. We continue to call for the release of all hostages by Hamas and for Israel to allow aid to flow at scale, as directed by the International Court of Justice."
MSF's Dr Christos Christou says Australia must hold Israel to account.
"The Australian government's expressed support for a ceasefire rings hollow when they are supplying the weapons that continue to kill and maim in Gaza. But even if and when a ceasefire in Gaza finally happens the road to recovery will be long and uncertain."
The government has repeatedly denied it is sending weapons to Israel but experts maintain that does not extend to components.
When asked why MSF is taking this position, despite its charter suggesting there is neutrality and impartiality in everything they do, Dr Christou said it is their duty to become the voices of the people they are there to support.
"The first thing in our charter is the medical action. This is our basic act of solidarity. A medical action that is always, and wherever possible, combined with testimonials, bearing witness and advocating about what we see."
MSF clinical psychologist Scarlett Wong says the people of Gaza are starving, and psychologists are facing increasing referrals for children believed to have autism.
"A lot of the doctors were starting to refer children to our team saying that they were autistic, or they had some sort of developmental delay. And when we assessed that child and we did our screening, we realised that they were actually starving. And when you see a starved child they look, they have no - they're apathetic, they have no response. So that is the kind of thing we're seeing from a psychological view and the medical view is that children just become frozen."
Israel has denied it is blocking aid to Gaza, and says it is acting on its right to defend itself "consistent with its moral values and in compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law".
Psychologist Scarlett Wong says even in the most overwhelming of circumstances, she's witnessed incredible strength.
"I saw children flying home-made kites on top of rubbish heaps with quadcopters shooting in the background, and that was very surreal but it was also a sign of hope and resilience. To see that children were still finding a way to be children, in this - I don't even know what to call this any more - in this chaos."
Israel's embassy in Australia has been contacted for a response.
