Federal Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi has walked out of the Senate after labelling the Labor government as "gutless, heartless, cowards" and urging it to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The health ministry in Gaza estimates almost 9,800 Palestinians — including at least 4,000 children — have been killed in Israeli strikes in the current conflict.

Israel's declaration of war on Hamas came after the October 7 terrorist attack by the militants in southern Israel that resulted in about 1,400 deaths and more than 200 people being taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

On Monday, during Senate Question Time, Senator Faruqi declared the Greens brought the "people's protest" into parliament after leading her Greens Senate colleagues in a walkout.

Pro-Palestinian protests across the country have entered a fourth week, demanding a ceasefire and protesting the government's support for the Israeli government.

The Greens said the minor party would continue its pressure on the Albanese government to act.

"We are not going to sit here and watch you pat yourselves on the back for doing nothing … Weasel words are not going to stop war crimes. 

"Today, we bring the people's protest into parliament, free, free Palestine," Senator Faruqi said before she raised her fist and left the chamber.

Look back at updates from the Israel-Gaza war on November 6

 

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi protested the Australian government's support for Israel.(AAP: Mick Tsikas)

Senator Janet Rice raised a printed page showing the Palestinian flag as they walked out.

Last month, Australia abstained from voting in the UN General Assembly on a call for an immediate humanitarian truce between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza.

The non-binding resolution to pave the way for a ceasefire passed, with 120 countries in support, 14 countries against and 45 abstaining, including Australia.

Senator Faruqi said the Labor government would be remembered as "warmongers" and that history would judge the party for staying "silent and complicit in the massacre of Palestinians".

"They are following the puppet master the US in not calling for a ceasefire and not condemning Israel," she said.

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Antony Blinken rejects calls for a ceasefire at talks in Jordan.

The United Nations last week warned that Gaza was "running out of time", demanding a ceasefire to prevent genocide.

"The time for action is now. Israel's allies also bear responsibility and must act now to prevent its disastrous course of action," UN experts said.

Acting government Senate leader Don Farrell criticised the Greens for their walkout in solidarity with Palestinians.

"I don't think any particular political party seeking to make hay out of this terrible situation is going to advance the position in Australia," he said.

Don Farrell reiterated the government's previous comments about "Israel's right to defend itself", and echoed Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who argued it "mattered" how Israel did so and called it to abide by international law.

Senator Faruqi said it was disgraceful to frame calls for a ceasefire and stop to the siege in Gaza as a political play.

"The way that thousands of innocent people are being killed indiscriminately, the way that families are being blown up to bits, whole families are being blown up to pieces by the bombing of Israel."

Greens spokesperson for foreign affairs Jordan Steele-John said the Australian public had been let down by the government.

"The Australian community expect that our government will reflect the needs of the Australian community, not the wishes from Washington or any other capital of the world," he said.