Speaking at a conference in Melbourne on Thursday, Albanese said that israel has a responsibility to ensure that innocent civilians are not paying the price for the conflict.

"The civilian toll is quite rightly causing enormous concern around the world," he said. "Every Palestinian life matters, like every Israeli life matters. Every effort has to be made to ensure that innocent civilians are protected to every extent possible."

"It is very difficult because of the way that Hamas operates with the use of civilian infrastructure being mixed with what is effectively military infrastructure … but every single effort has to be made," he said.

The Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, echoed Albanese's sentiments, and said that the international community will not accept ongoing civilian deaths. She called on israel to observe the principles of proportionality and distinction in its military operations.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, more than 9,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its bombing campaign 26 days ago, including more than 3,760 children. (ILKHA)