In line with the World Medical Association, the AMA is calling for Palestinians to have access to food and essential supplies.
The AMA has written a second time to urge Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to do more to ensure critical humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza during the ongoing conflict.
In October last year, the AMA voted in support of the World Medical Association adopting a resolution on the protection of healthcare in Israel and Gaza.
The resolution itself calls for a bilateral, negotiated and sustainable ceasefire in order to protect all civilian life, secure the release of all remaining hostages and allow the transfer of humanitarian aid.
This includes the safe evacuation of urgent medical cases from Gaza to reduce secondary morbidity and mortality and investigations into alleged gross abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law, such as attacks on healthcare staff and the misuse of healthcare facilities for military purposes.
According to the AMA, its letter to Mr Albanese stated that it was unfortunate that the recommendations set out in the WMA resolution are as urgent and relevant in June 2025 as they were in October 2024.
Earlier this week, WMA president Dr Ashok Philip called for both sides to respect humanitarian law.
“It is a matter of humanity not to let the people of Gaza face starvation or be denied health care,” he said.
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The WMA more broadly called for the Israeli government to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.
“War and hunger create health risks that go far beyond the immediate destruction of fighting,” Dr Philip said.
“These burdens fall mostly on the weakest members of the population.
“This is deeply unjust and should be remedied.”
The AMA said it would continue to “urge the Australian government to support the WMA recommendations and act to ensure that the people of Gaza receive the humanitarian aid they critically need” and that healthcare personnel are protected.
Last month, Australia co-signed a joint statement alongside Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK demanding Israel allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza.
This includes allowing the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity.
The letter also reiterated that Hamas must immediately release all remaining hostages and allow humanitarian assistance to be distributed without interference.
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