Palestinians inspect destroyed houses after Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City on Tuesday, October 24. (AP Photo/Abed Khaled)
Palestinians inspect destroyed houses after Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City on Tuesday, October 24. (AP Photo/Abed Khaled)
New Zealand is calling for a pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas to create safe areas for civilians and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
It comes as local authorities report over 5700 civilians have been killed in Gaza amid intensifying Israeli airstrikes in response to Hamas attacks, which themselves have reportedly killed about 1400 people.
The majority of the Israeli deaths occurred on October 7 when Hamas, the ruling party in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, launched unprecedented attacks in Israel targeting civilians and taking over 200 people hostage.
Those attacks drew global condemnation and support for Israel to defend itself, however since then Israel has drawn criticism over its response including blockading Gaza, stopping essentials like food and water and fuel entering the area, and bombing civilian areas.
“New Zealand is calling on all parties involved to act in accordance with international law, and also demonstrate basic humanity,” Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said today, following a New Zealand statement to the United Nations Security Council in New York.
“We call on all parties to the conflict to commit to a humanitarian pause and for Israel and Egypt to use a cessation of hostilities to rapidly facilitate unimpeded humanitarian assistance to civilians living in Gaza.”
The statement comes after the United States this week blocked a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for a pause in fighting to create humanitarian corridors, but has since said it would support a “humanitarian pause” that allowed Israel to continue to conduct military operations.
The term “humanitarian pause” is different to a general ceasefire and is specifically linked to the delivery of aid.
Hipkins said provision of humanitarian aid - such as food, water, fuel, and shelter - to civilians in Gaza was an obligation under the Fourth Geneva Convention that “must be upheld immediately”.
People help evacuate a Palestinian woman following Israeli airstrikes that targeted her neighbourhood in Gaza City, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Abed Khaled)
He said the volume of aid must be increased dramatically to support the more than two million people living there and safe humanitarian corridors established.
Hipkins also commented on the actions of Hamas.
“We are appalled by Hamas’ brutality, their targeting of civilians, and the taking of hostages, which are in clear violations of international law. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”
Hipkins, who is in a caretaker Prime Minister role, made the statement in consultation with National Party leader and Prime Minister-designate Christopher Luxon.
Luxon told Newstalk ZB this morning the Labour Government was taking the lead on the response but he was closely involved and being consulted.
He said it was important that both sides fully complied with all their obligations under international law.
“Obviously we should be very focused on making sure civilians are protected and we’re getting humanitarian assistance in there.”
Caretaker Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Photo / Dean Purcell
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said New Zealand supported the right of Israel to defend itself, but it must abide by international law, exercise restraint, and prioritise the protection of civilians.
Mahuta reiterated New Zealand’s support for a two-state solution.
“Ultimately there is no military solution that will bring about a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.
“We call on all parties and the international community to take urgent action to restart the Middle East Peace Process as the best way to ensure enduring peace and security for all those who live in Israel and Palestine.”
New Zealand’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Carolyn Schwalger made the statement in New York during a debate organised by Brazil.
Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon. Photo / George Heard
There, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Hamas for putting civilians in harm’s way but also called on Israel to “take all possible precautions to avoid harm to civilians”, including considering humanitarian pauses in fighting to deliver aid and create safe spaces.
His comments came after UN Secretary-General António Gutteres demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire “to ease epic suffering, make the delivery of aid easier and safer and facilitate the release of hostages”. His speech, in particular his comment that “the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum” and that the “Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation”, sparked immediate backlash from Israeli officials.
New Zealand has long spoken out on the Israel and Palestine situation, with bipartisan support for a two-state solution - which would see security guarantees for Israel, negotiated land swaps and careful management of Jerusalem’s holy sites - and advocacy for both sides to abide by international law.
In 2017, the National-led government sponsored a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements in Palestine. It was a rare resolution passed, with the United States opting to abstain rather than veto it. In response, Israel recalled its ambassador from New Zealand.
Under the Labour Government, New Zealand did not recognise Palestine as a state but there were some MPs within the Government pushing for that to change. The Greens also have a policy to recognise Palestine as a state.
Prior to the recent escalation in violence, Labour’s Phil Twyford said if re-elected to government, Labour would invite the Palestinian ambassador based in Canberra to present his credentials as ambassador to New Zealand.
Hipkins paused this process after the attacks by Hamas.
