Foreign Minister Penny Wong rebuked Israel’s behaviour in a private meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu’s top diplomat in Australia, days after its embassy claimed Gazans were not starving.

Wong held talks with ambassador Amir Maimon in her Canberra office on Thursday at the end of a week of intense debate on the worsening crisis in Gaza and global momentum to recognise Palestinian statehood.

It was the second time in three days that Maimon was spoken to by the government, after a lower-level meeting with departmental officials on Tuesday.

Multiple sources familiar with Thursday’s meeting, who were not permitted to speak publicly, said Wong reiterated Australia’s position on the situation in Gaza. That position includes urging Israel to comply with international law in its conflict with Hamas and allowing more food into Gaza. Australia has said it will recognise a Palestinian state in time, as long as conditions are met.

“beyond comprehension”.

Wong’s office and the Israeli embassy declined to comment.

Canada and Britain vowed this week to recognise a Palestinian state, with conditions, at a United Nations meeting in September.

Albanese’s government has reiterated this week that recognition would be tokenistic unless there was a real prospect of creating a stable, demilitarised State of Palestine and maintaining Israel’s safety.