The foreign minister was "deeply moved" by her meetings with the Israeli families of hostages taken in the October 7 terror attacks, as part of her week-long visit to the Middle East.
"I greatly admire the strength they continue to show," she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"I assured them that in every engagement I have with relevant parties, I will use Australia's voice to call for the immediate, unconditional and safe return of their loved ones."
In a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Senator Wong shared the "strong concerns the Australian people have about the civilian death toll" in Gaza.
Senator Wong began her visit to the region with a stop in Jordan on Tuesday, where she met with her counterpart Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, King Abdullah II and the UN's senior humanitarian co-ordinator Sigrid Kaag.
"I don't think Australia can come to the region, demand specific assurances," she told reporters in Jordan.
"Our view is that peace ultimately will come if there is genuine progress towards peace and security for Israel and for the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspirations for statehood."
Jordan is one of the few Arab countries to have signed a peace agreement with Israel, as the nation has a large Palestinian population who were displaced from their homes at the creation of the Israeli state.
Penny Wong has shared Australia's concerns about the "dire" humanitarian situation in Gaza. (EPA PHOTO)
Hearings have begun at the International Court of Justice after Israel was accused of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as dire, Senator Wong said Australia respected the independence of the ICJ and its role in upholding international law.
"Our support for the ICJ and respect for its independence does not mean we accept the premise of South Africa's case," she said.
"We will continue to work for a just and enduring peace between Israelis and Palestinians."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia wasn't a participant in the case against Israel.
"The foreign minister made Australia's position clear," he told reporters.
"That doesn't mean that we agree with some of the assumptions that they have in the South African case at all."
Senator Wong announced an extra $21.5 million in humanitarian aid for Palestinians, including $4 million to the Red Cross and Red Crescent emergency medical services, $6 million to the UN's Relief and Works Agency and $11.5 million to refugee programs in Lebanon and Jordan.
The foreign minister will also visit Occupied Palestinian Territories and the United Arab Emirates during her Middle Eastern trip and meet with Palestinians impacted by Israeli settler violence in the West Bank.
She has been criticised by the coalition for not visiting the southern Israeli towns where the Hamas attacks took place.Â
Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley said it was "unforgivable" Senator Wong would not go.
"She should see the areas that on October the 7th changed this landscape forever, both politically and for the communities," Ms Ley said.
13°C