Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Sunday strongly criticized the opposition for refusing to support growing calls for a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon. Wong labeled opposition leader Peter Dutton as "extreme" for not aligning with international cease-fire efforts, according to local broadcaster SBS News. Her remarks came after Liberal senator James Paterson expressed the opposition's desire for an end to the Middle East conflict but declined to endorse a cease-fire. Wong noted that the opposition's stance is increasingly "at odds" with global sentiment, including that of the United States. "A few days ago, Mr. Dutton said the prime minister should be condemned for calling for a cease-fire," Wong said in a statement. "Now the Liberals finally realize they're at odds with the international community, including the United States, who are all pressing for peace — but he still can't bring himself to do so." She further criticized Dutton, saying, "We know Mr. Dutton is negative about everything, but it's pretty extreme to be negative about a cease-fire that saves civilian lives and prevents further disastrous escalation of conflict." Dutton had earlier accused the government of trying to "walk both sides" in its stance on the Middle East. Israel has continued its airstrikes across Lebanon, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah positions since September 23, killing at least 1,437 people, injuring over 4,123, and displacing more than 1.34 million. These actions come in the wake of the ongoing Gaza conflict, where nearly 42,200 victims, most of them women and children, have died since a Hamas attack last year. — Agencies
