Australian aid organisations are pleading with the government to call for a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East.
The four-day pause in the Israel-Palestine conflict - set to be extended by a further two days - has revealed a staggering increase to the death toll in Gaza, with Oxfam estimating 20,000 people have been killed.
The United Nations thinks $1.2 billion will be needed to rebuild the Gaza Strip and Oxfam Australia is calling for the government to lift its contribution from the previously-committed $25 million.
Food, water and fuel is needed in Gaza, with the lack of fuel reportedly causing sewage to flow into the streets and raise the risk of disease outbreaks.
Oxfam Australia chief executive Lyn Morgain said Australia must call for a ceasefire to start addressing the "unprecedented humanitarian crisis".
"The scale and magnitude of it is only becoming apparent, as we've experienced these past four days of pause in conflict," she told reporters in Canberra.
"A ceasefire is the critical and necessary step upon which we can then begin to consider and re-establish humanitarian systems."
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia wants to see more steps towards a sustainable ceasefire.
"We all must work towards a long-term, enduring peace .. that requires a two-state solution," she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday.
Senator Wong has called for the release of Israeli hostages still held by terrorist group Hamas, a sentiment echoed by Oxfam and other aid groups on Tuesday.
The Greens have long called for a ceasefire and will push the government to contribute more funding to Gaza. along with ensuring they're upholding their obligations to try and prevent potential war crimes.
Liberal frontbencher Simon Birmingham said the unconditional release of all hostages would be "ultimate step towards a ceasefire".
Addressing the recent leap in the death toll, Ms Morgain said the pause in bombing had allowed aid organisations to "explore the rubble effectively".
Humanitarian organisations believe 5500 children have been killed, with another 3000 missing and presumed to be dead.
"It is a very dramatic jump (but) it's not entirely surprising," Ms Morgain said.
"But the sad fact of the matter is at this point, we are critically focused on those people who need life support … and with winter coming, we're very clear we are facing a massive increase in those numbers unless we can ensure effective humanitarian aid."
A delegation of people related to the Israeli hostages is expected to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday afternoon, following a protest event outside Parliament House.
