Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns condemned the recent attack on the U.S. Consulate in Sydney.

The incident occurred at 3am on Monday and involved a hooded figure wielding a sledgehammer and defacing the consulate with pro-Palestinian graffiti.

Security camera footage captured the vandalism, and authorities are investigating to identify and punish those responsible.

The attack is part of escalating tensions related to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, with similar incidents reported at the US consulate in Melbourne.

Australia, a close ally of Israel, has become more critical of Israeli actions in Gaza, with Albanese previously denouncing Israel's explanation for the killing of Australian aid workers in Gaza.

Despite the damage, consulate operations were unaffected, and authorities are emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest and respectful discourse.

NSW police and Australian Federal Police are involved in the investigation, with the consulate's windows dusted for fingerprints and the entrance blocked off with police tape.

Premier Minns called for peaceful expression and non-violent actions amidst heightened tensions.