Richard Marles ‘cautiously optimistic’ about new US-Hamas deal

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles says Australia will be closely watching what happens with the US-Hamas deal and welcomes any form of de-escalation. “Hamas has been an appalling organisation over a long period of time,” Mr Marles told News24. “We’ve been calling for a long time for the de-escalation of conflict in the Middle East. “Need for there to be an opportunity for humanitarian efforts. “Anything which involves a de-escalation is clearly to welcomed.”