Calls for Israel sanctions mount as Gaza war continues

More than half of Australian voters believe genocide is happening in Gaza and Israel must face sanctions, according to a poll.

The YouGov survey commissioned by the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network shows 58 per cent agreed with a the United Nations report that a genocide is taking place in the strip in Palestine.

Sixteen per cent disagreed, while 26 per cent neither agreed nor disagreed in the poll released ahead of the second anniversary of the deadly Hamas attack on Israel.

The survey of 1501 voting-aged Australians released on Monday also found 69 per cent of respondents agreed and 53 per cent strongly agreed Israel's military campaign on Gaza should stop.

It also found 57 per cent of respondents agreed Australia should impose sanctions on Israel similar to those placed on Russia after its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

APAN president Nasser Mashni said the data showed Australians wanted the federal Labor government to play a more active role in stopping the conflict.

"Australians are disgusted by the live-streamed genocide and our government's failure to act," he said on Monday.

"The polling is clear, Australians want more action from our government.

"We need to impose sanctions on Israel like those currently in place on Russia."

Those surveyed also supported preventing trade between the Australian government and companies involved in the war in Gaza and Israeli occupation of the West Bank, with 53 per cent in favour and 33 per cent strongly in favour.

Nineteen per cent were against stopping trade.

The survey, which has a margin of error of 2.43 points, comes as negotiations on a US-brokered peace plan take place in Egypt.

If successful, this could lead to Israeli troops withdrawing from Gaza in exchange for the release of the remaining 48 Israeli hostages being held by Hamas, which effectively rules the strip and is designated a terrorist group by Australia.

Nearly 2000 Palestinian prisoners would be released in return.

US President Donald Trump has threatened will "pay in hell" if it does not sign the plan.

Tens of thousands of Australians are expected to join vigils on Tuesday to mark the second anniversary of Hamas's attack on Israel.

More than 1200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage during the terror group's attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered a relentless military campaign from Israel that has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians.

Jewish vigils this week will commemorate the loss of lives and the suffering of the hostages at the hands of Hamas, while others will gather to remember the Palestinians killed.

There will be a large communal commemoration in Sydney's east on Sunday and one in Melbourne the following Sunday.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said he was hopeful the horrors inflicted on the hostages and their families would soon end.

"Hamas is a uniquely cruel and sadistic enemy whose statements can never be taken at face value," he said.

"US political power and Israeli military power has isolated Hamas, creating the conditions for its surrender and a permanent end to this war. We are thankful for both."

A vigil for Gaza will be held at Sydney's Town Hall on Monday before organisers head to court on Tuesday to fight to hold a protest outside the Opera House on Sunday.

NSW Police are trying to shut down the protest citing safety concerns, while Jewish and other leaders have slammed it as insensitive for being held around the second anniversary of Hamas' attack.

It follows pro-Palestinian protesters marching on Victoria's State Library on Sunday.

Israel rejects accusations of genocide and starvation in Gaza despite a UN commission finding it responsible for various atrocities.

Another pro-Palestine vigil will be held in Melbourne on Tuesday evening.