Innocent Aussie grandmother ‘murdered’

The first Australian victim murdered in Hamas’ “senseless act of violence” has been confirmed as a beloved grandmother.

Galit Carbone, 66, is believed to have been found outside her home in a kibbutz 5km from the Gaza Strip where more than 100 people were killed.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong confirmed Ms Carbone, an Australian citizen, had been “murdered” in Hamas’ attacks on Israel.

“On behalf of the government, I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Ms Carbone. DFAT is providing consular assistance to her family in Israel and in Australia,” Senator Wong said in a statement.

“Australia unequivocally condemns the attacks on Israel by Hamas. There is no excuse for the deliberate killing of innocent civilians.”

There are reports that militants set homes in the Be’eri kibbutz on fire to force residents out of their shelters before murdering some and taking others hostage.

The family of the Sydney born mother-of-three, and grandmother of two, and the Australian Jewish community more broadly are “heartbroken”.

Ms Carbone is understood to have moved to Israel to raise her children and was working as a librarian.

Ten per cent of the kibbutz she called home were killed in the weekend attack, one of the first places targeted by Hamas when they breached the border on Saturday.

Earlier, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said she was “devastated” by the news.

“This is heartbreaking news this morning for the family of (Ms Carbone), her community here in Australia … our hearts absolutely go out to her,” she told Channel 7.

“I’m devastated for the people who knew her, but also the broader Jewish Australian community.

“We’ve got brothers and sisters of the Jewish religion around our country who are suffering greatly from what is a brutal, violent, abhorrent and completely unjustified act of terrorism against their country and their citizens.

“What’s happened here is a senseless act of violence, that will get more violent, and the Australian government condemns it in the strongest possible terms.”

She said the government was “standing with” the Jewish community.

“We’re … wrapping our arms around you, and I express my deepest condolences for what has happened here,” she said.

More than 10,000 Australians live in Israel, and many more are believed to have been visiting the Jewish country when Palestinian militant group Hamas – recognised as a terrorist group by Australia – launched a surprise attack on the weekend.

In its attack, Hamas has slaughtered innocent civilians – including children – in an act US President Joe Biden has condemned as “pure evil”.

Israel has mobilised hundreds of thousands of Israeli reservists in preparation for an anticipated ground offensive, with support from the US.

Hamas has taken at least 100 Israelis hostage and has threatened to kill one every time Israel fires a rocket at the enclave.

Already, the death toll in Israel has surpassed 1000 with more than 2000 people wounded; and at least 510 Palestinians have been killed and more than 2750 injured.

Opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume said it was “almost inevitable” that there would be more Australian victims.

“We know there are thousands of Jewish Australians in Israel right now,” she said.

Senator Wong stood firm in her resolve to call for protection of civilians.

“The loss of life from these attacks has been devastating and unacceptable,” she said.

“Australia has called for the attacks to stop and for the immediate and unconditional release of all those taken hostage.”

Ms O’Neil said the government was doing all it could to keep Australians caught up in the fighting safe.

“This is a brutal act of terrorism that was unprovoked and unnecessary. Australians are going to be harmed by this and … we’re working very hard to make sure we protect Australians not just overseas but at home,” she said.

Senator Wong said the government was assessing “all options” for Australians wanting to leave.

Commercial airlines have cut or cancelled flights out of Israel, prompting calls for the government to organise special repatriation flights.

An Australian man, going only by Keanu, told ABC News on Wednesday morning, says he was trying to get out of Israel and pleaded with the government to help.

“I feel a bit stranded, especially when I’m seeing constant other repatriation flights coming from other countries. So it would feel a lot safer and a lot more guaranteed to have the Australian government doing those flights for all of the Australians here,” he said.