Matthew Knott

My heart breaks for the Bani Odeh family. Ali Bani Odeh, his wife, and two of their young children — only 5 and 7 years old — were killed in Tammun. Two other children survived and will carry this trauma for the rest of their lives. Beyond politics, beyond narratives, this is the destruction of a family. An investigation has already been announced. As usual, we will likely hear familiar conclusions: a failure in identifying the target, mistaken identity, or an operational error. But when civilians are killed again and again, the question becomes unavoidable: Is this a problem of failing to identify targets? Is it a problem of not knowing how to aim? Or is it a problem of knowing exactly what is being done and accepting the consequences? No child should live through this. No parent should die this way. The investigation must not be a formality. Truth, accountability, and justice are the minimum owed to the Bani Odeh family — and to every civilian life that deserves protection.

Confirmed that a fifth Iranian soccer team member has decided to return home since seeking asylum, leaving just two in Australia smh.com.au/politics/feder…

@CHaesemeyer @RodgerShanahan @Levitt_Matt Yes that’s what the story says

@KnottMatthew @RodgerShanahan @Levitt_Matt Yes, three years ago

Two Iranian diplomats apply for asylum in Denmark, Australia iranintl.com/en/202603122641

Top Iranian diplomat defected, received asylum in secret escape smh.com.au/politics/feder…

@RodgerShanahan @Levitt_Matt smh.com.au/politics/feder…

@Levitt_Matt You realise there is no Iranian embassy in Australia & that the asylum claim is around three years old ?

The chronology is precisely backward. Sigh.

@nameisameme Link?

@KnottMatthew ABC broke the news about 10.30pm Monday night in Sydney

Remarkable breaking news tonight: Iranian women soccer players break free, seek asylum in Australia smh.com.au/politics/feder…

More than two hours before President Trump became involved for anyone making a timeline

NEW—In a phone interview, President Trump told me the war could be over soon: “I think the war is very complete, pretty much. They have no navy, no communications, they’ve got no Air Force.” He added that the U.S. is “very far” ahead of his initial 4-5 week estimated time frame.

The Foreign Press Association just released a powerful video and petition saying "Israel must allow international media into Gaza." The video includes @clarissaward and @JDiamond1 of CNN and many other international correspondents. c.org/BfXbQdXjd9

Australia condemns Israeli settlement expansion as Herzog arrives in Canberra smh.com.au/politics/feder…

@PortPlaces Very kind, thanks Janet

@KnottMatthew Great witty piece.

Mark Butler offered a helpful reminder about the importance of prostate check-ups, a task that may have struck some Liberal and National MPs as a more enjoyable way to spend their time than participating in this particular question time smh.com.au/politics/feder…

Two of the country’s longest serving foreign ministers have cautioned Prime Minister Anthony Albanese against accepting Donald Trump’s invitation to serve on his new Board of Peace smh.com.au/politics/feder…

This moment matters not only for Gaza’s residents, or for Palestinians as a whole. A stable, functional Gaza governed by professionals rather than armed movements is a cornerstone of regional stability and Israeli-Palestinian de-escalation Phase Two establishes a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza and initiates the process of full demilitarization and reconstruction. The language has shifted decisively: from emergency management to governance, from humanitarian containment to long-term regional stabilization. A new architecture is taking shape. It includes an international Board of Peace, an executive framework led by American leadership, and a technocratic governing body tasked with overseeing Gaza’s recovery. This is a pivotal — and rare — moment, marking the beginning of a new governing phase for Gaza: one defined by competence, accountability, and reconstruction rather than factional rule.

AUKUS is not on the rocks, despite the UK’s submarine troubles @JAParker29 smh.com.au/national/aukus…

▫ Grim Warning On AUKUS Subs ▫The shambolic state of the UK’s submarine service could destroy Australia’s plan to build a fleet of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines, a retired rear admiral warns ▫@KnottMatthew @theage #frontpagestoday #Australia 🇦🇺

Albanese set to stare down resistance from Josh Frydenberg and appoint Virginia Bell to head royal commission smh.com.au/politics/feder…

Australia has a powerful voice on the international stage — and we ask our 🇦🇺 friends to use it to support the Belarusian people. Thank you @KnottMatthew & @smh for the interview about my first visit to 🇦🇺 and our work to help Belarusians and support 🇺🇦. smh.com.au/politics/feder…