Australia urged Israel to accept the UN Security Council-backed ceasefire deal in the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza, Anadolu reports.

“A ceasefire in Gaza is desperately needed now,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on X, as the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has climbed to nearly 41,000 since last Oct. 7.

Wong said she spoke to her Israeli counterpart Israel Katz on Monday night to reiterate Australia’s view that “parties must agree to the UNSC-backed deal” for the protection of civilians, the release of hostages, to enable more aid, and prevent regional escalation.

The top Australian diplomat said that during her phone conversations with her counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Jordan last week, they “agreed (that) a ceasefire in Gaza was key to protecting civilians, securing the release of hostages and reducing tensions across the region.”