A memorial dedicated to Vietnam War veterans has been vandalised with a message urging Australians to pay attention to the violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in central Canberra was found defaced with red spray paint on Monday morning.

“Eyes on Rafah!,” the message read.

“This is genocide!

“The colony will fall.” 

The phrases were paired with a spray-painted eye.

A spokesperson from ACT Policing said law enforcement was aware of recent acts of vandalism.

“Police remind the community that peaceful protest is part of healthy democracy however criminal acts will not be tolerated,” they said in a statement to AAP.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

On October 7, Hamas – designated a terrorist group by the Australian government – killed 1200 Israelis and took another 200 hostage during a cross-border assault.

Israel has since unleashed a bombing campaign and ground offensive on the already besieged territory of Gaza that has killed nearly 31,000 Palestinians, displaced 1.7 million Gazans and pushed many to the brink of starvation, according to the United Nations and the local health ministry.

As the violence drags into its fifth month, pro-Palestine protests continue to be staged each weekend across the nation’s capitals.

US President Joe Biden says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hurting his nation by not doing more to avert civilian deaths in Gaza, as a split between the leaders grows.

Mr Biden expressed support for Israel’s right to pursue Hamas but says Mr Netanyahu “must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken”.

Meanwhile, Australia has been urged to unfreeze funding to the largest aid agency in Palestine after suspending its contributions following allegations members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees took part in the October 7 attack.

Politicians across the political spectrum have expressed dismay at the humanitarian crisis and have held talks with senior representatives of UNRWA.

Australia has not changed its position yet though Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the federal government was taking advice on further support options.

“The consequences of the action that’s taken place there should not impact on innocent civilians the way that it has,” he told ABC radio.

“We’re giving consideration to the range of support that can be given.”

This post was originally published on Michael West.