Foreign Minister Penny Wong has warned Australians not to travel to Gaza and reiterated Australia's support of Israel, as the country reels from the most brutal attacks on it in half a century. The federal government is trying to confirm the welfare of Australians caught up in the "abhorrent" attack by Islamist group Hamas on Israel, which has killed hundreds and injured thousands of people.
Saturday's surprise sea, land and air attack on Israel from Gaza prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare a "long and difficult war" ahead. Netanyahu said Israel would take "mighty vengeance for this wicked day". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition leader Peter Dutton condemned attacks by Hamas, which has been classified as a terrorist organisation by Australia since 2001.