Good afternoon. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has landed in the US for a critical four-day visit where the Israel-Hamas war will feature prominently on the agenda.
On the ground, a second convoy of 14 aid trucks has entered the Gaza Strip as Israel steps up its bombardment of the enclave. The UN has warned that the volume of aid is a fraction of what is needed, and the White House has promised a “continued flow” of aid into Gaza. On the diplomatic front, Western leaders have issued a joint statement urging Israel abide by international law while underscoring their support for the country, and Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, is due to land in Tehran to discuss the crisis.
