Gaza refugees urge Australia on safe passage of family

The 50-year-old homemaker was sheltering in historic St Porphyrius Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City when it was struck by rocket on October 19.

She witnessed severed bodies being pulled from the rubble and screamed in relief at the survival of her brother, his wife and their children under the weight of smashed concrete.

Her pregnant niece had a wall collapse on her and lost her baby.

"It was a miracle that they survived. God saved them," Maria tells AAP, choking back tears.

"It was hard seeing people one by one being dragged out of the rubble and hoping and praying that your family is dead or alive. He is my only brother."

Most of the 19 killed in the fourth century church were children, and included relatives of former US Congressman Justin Amash.

"It was pure terror and fear. We didn't expect that a missile would hit a church and half of it would be obliterated ... and so have other historic churches and mosques as well as hospitals and schools," Maria says.

"It could have been my turn to go. All these kids without any sins were killed."

She had been hiding at St Porphyrius since Israel launched its offensive in retaliation to a surprise Hamas attack on October 7, which left 1200 Israelis dead and dozens taken hostage.

More than 23,000 Palestinians have so far been killed, including more than 10,000 children.

UN experts say the ongoing campaign constitutes genocide.

"We escaped with the clothes on our backs," Maria says.

"We didn't think we'd ever go back to our homes."

Her apartment block in the upmarket Rimal district was completely levelled in the first week of the assault.

Although thankful to be safe, Maria is urging the Australian government to pressure Israel and Egypt diplomatically for safe passage for her family and others trapped in Gaza.

More than 850 visas have been issued to those fleeing the pummelled enclave but only about 140 have been able to reunite with family.

She says communication with the Department of Foreign Affairs ground to a halt a week before Christmas.

Feras Shaheen, a Tasmania-based performance artist with family in Gaza, wants Foreign Minister Penny Wong to do more.

Seventeen of his loved ones have been granted humanitarian visas but are unable to escape because their names have not been posted at the Rafah crossing into Egypt.

He says other countries like Belgium and Turkey have extracted dual nationals but Australian efforts are lacking.

"After the temporary ceasefire there has been complete quiet from DFAT," he says.

The ceasefire was broken on December 1.

"We recognise this is an incredibly distressing time for you and your loved ones. However, meeting requirements for an Australian visa does not mean an entitlement to consular assistance," according to a December 19 departmental email.

"We will now close your registration."

Mr Shaheen, an organiser with the Tasmanian Palestine Advocacy Network, recently directed a short film capturing the frustrations of a diaspora at a loss to ensure the safety of their families.

He and others are disappointed with the lack of official response since the ceasefire fell apart, even though over 6000 emails have been sent to MPs across the country.

"When we knew we had something to work towards, we were looking for rentals (for incoming refugees)," he says.

"My parents bought 50 new mattresses and clothes, there was this motivation.

"But when the government said registrations closed, it was just like all that hope was thrown out of the window.

"Our whole lives have stopped ... that's what we're thinking about 24/7. It's a mixture of helplessness, anger, frustration and exhaustion."

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has told AAP the federal government has so far supported a total of 196 citizens, permanent residents and family members, to depart Gaza.

"Exiting Gaza is difficult and unpredictable," a spokesperson said.

"The ability of the Australian government to help is extremely limited."

Australian Associated Press