Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called for a “ceasefire now” following the deadly airstrikes by Israel near Rafah in the Gaza Strip. “Events of the last 24 hours underscore that we must see a humanitarian ceasefire now so that civilians can be protected,” Wong said in a statement posted on social media platform X. “Israel’s strikes have had horrific and unacceptable consequences,” Wong continued. “Australia has been been very clear that Israel must not proceed with its operation in Rafah – where more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are sheltering.” “Hamas must release all hos…