Australian troops would be obvious targets for attack by Hamas militants if they were to join an international peacekeeping force in Gaza, a Liberal senator has warned as outspoken MP Andrew Hastie launched a provocative argument against sending defence personnel to the ravaged territory.

This masthead reported on Sunday that the Palestinian Authority had urged Australia to contribute forces to a United Nations-endorsed stabilisation mission to help take over from the Israeli military and ensure the fragile ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump does not collapse.

The Albanese government has said it is open to participating, although any involvement would likely be limited in scope and may not involve Australian personnel on the ground.

Debate over Australia’s possible role c

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