Israel-Hamas Conflict

This page contains information and advice about the Israel-Hamas conflict and situation in Gaza.
  • New Zealand is gravely concerned about the impact of this conflict on civilians. The loss of life is appalling and the violence must end.
  • New Zealand has unequivocally condemned the terrorist attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023. We continue to call on Hamas to cease its attacks on Israel and release all hostages immediately.
  • The Government has been clear and consistent that the protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement of international law.
  • New Zealand has long advocated for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza leading to a lasting, sustainable peace.
  • New Zealand believes there must be a concerted effort to address the horrific humanitarian crisis in Gaza. That is why we have provided financial support to the humanitarian response. Israel must do everything in its power enable rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian assistance access into and throughout Gaza.
  • New Zealand has consistently stressed the importance of upholding international law in the conflict. We have repeatedly stated that orders by the International Court of Justice, including provisional measures orders of 26 January, 28 March and 24 May, are binding and must be adhered to by all parties. We have also been clear in our support of the International Criminal Court's mandate in Palestine.
  • New Zealand supports critical efforts by regional partners to achieve an end to the violence as soon as possible and to ensure that this conflict does not spill into the wider region.

Middle East Peace Process

New Zealand believes there can be no military solution to the current conflict.  Early action to revive the Middle East Peace Process is critical, and we will continue to call on the parties to return to the negotiating table, urgently, in an effort to work towards a two-state solution. New Zealand’s long-standing position is that this is the best path for a durable and lasting peace in the region.

New Zealand’s established approach to the Middle East Peace Process includes:

  • Support for a comprehensive and sustainable two-state solution, with secure and recognised borders for both Israel and Palestine (based on 1967 lines);
  • Support for Israel’s right to exist in peace and security;
  • Support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination; and
  • Recognition that direct negotiations between the parties are the only way to achieve a sustainable agreement, and a call for a return to such negotiations.

Humanitarian Assistance

  • New Zealand has announced five tranches of support to the humanitarian response, totalling NZ$22 million, to address urgent humanitarian needs in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. This includes contributions of NZ$7.5 million to the World Food Programme (WFP); NZ$5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); $10.5 million to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); and $5 million to the United Nations 2720 Mechanism for Gaza.
  • The Ministry has been informed by the World Food Programme that emergency food funded by New Zealand was part of aid looted from a Gaza warehouse in January 2024. Catastrophic hunger is widespread in Gaza and there is insufficient aid getting in. The World Food Programme is a long-standing humanitarian partner for New Zealand. It is an experienced and principled humanitarian actor with a demonstrated ability to deliver at scale in complex environments. It has strong systems and controls to guard against diversion, and to ensure that assistance reaches intended civilian beneficiaries. The World Food Programme’s response in Gaza is critical, reaching around one million people each month, and New Zealand is pleased to support its work.
  • This $22 million in humanitarian funding is separate to New Zealand’s $1 million annual core contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Humanitarian announcements

Humanitarian Funding Partner Total ($m) Support includes More information
World Food Programme (WFP) $10.5 million
  • Emergency food assistance.
  • Nutritional supplements for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
  • Response-wide logistics and telecommunications.
 WFP.org/Emergencies/Palestine-Emergency (external link)
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) $5 million
  • Field hospital in Rafah.
  • Promoting respect for international humanitarian law.
  • Reuniting families.
  • Ensuring dignified treatment of human remains.
  • Cash and food assistance.
 ICRC.org/en/Where-We-Work/Middle-East/Israel-and-Occupied-Territories (external link)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) $4.5 million
  • Health services.         Nutritional supplements for children.
  • Psychosocial and mental health support.
  • Water, sanitation, and hygiene.
 unicef.org/emergencies/children-gaza-need-lifesaving-support (external link)
United Nations 2720 Mechanism for Gaza (Kaag Mechanism) $2 million
  • Coordination and management of humanitarian aid.
  • International monitors.
  • Database for pre-clearance.
 Protection of civilians and enabling of immediate humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza - Security Council Resolution - 2720 (2023) - Question of Palestine(external link)
  $22 million    

Information for New Zealanders in the region

  • We strongly recommend that all New Zealanders in the region register on SafeTravel(external link).
  • Those that need consular assistance should contact the New Zealand 24/7 Consular Emergency Line on +64 99 20 20 20.
  • We currently advise that New Zealanders do not travel in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. See the SafeTravel news feature on the the security situation(external link) and the Travel Advisory for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories(external link).
  • We continue to strongly recommend that New Zealanders who wish to leave Israel should do so as soon as possible. The security situation remains highly volatile. Flight operations could be interrupted at any time.
  • The ongoing conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories has the potential to impact the security situation throughout Lebanon. There are ongoing exchanges of mortar and artillery fire in South Lebanon on the border with Israel. Tensions are high and the security situation could deteriorate further with little warning. We now advise that New Zealanders do not travel to Lebanon. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now via commercial options. See the Travel Advisory for Lebanon(external link).
  • New Zealanders are advised against travelling to the region to join the conflict. The situation is obviously extremely dangerous and volatile. New Zealand’s ability to provide consular assistance to New Zealanders caught up in the conflict is very limited. The New Zealand Government may not be able to assist New Zealanders who are detained, injured or otherwise prevented from leaving areas of armed conflict in Israel and Gaza.

Statements and Press Releases

56th session of the Human Rights Council, Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel (19 June 2024)

Call For Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza Conference (11 June 2024)

New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution | Beehive.govt.nz(external link) (11 May 2024)

Ceasefire agreement needed now: Peters(external link) (7 May 2024)

World must act to halt Gaza catastrophe - Peters | Beehive.govt.nz(external link) (9 April 2024)

Speech to United Nations General Assembly: 66th plenary meeting, 78th session | Beehive.govt.nz(external link) (9 April 2024)

New Zealand announces humanitarian assistance to Gaza, Sudan(external link) (1 April 2024)

United Nations General Assembly: Informal Meeting of the Plenary to Hear a Briefing on UNRWA(external link) (6 March 2024)

United Nations General Assembly: Veto Initiative meeting – The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (5 March 2024)

55th session of the Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on the Occupied Palestinian Territories (5 March 2024)

Travel bans on extremist Israeli settlers(external link) (29 February 2024)

NZ designates entirety of Hamas as terrorist entity(external link) (29 February 2024)

Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand(external link) (15 February 2024)

New Zealand provides further humanitarian support to Gaza and the West Bank(external link) (2 February 2024)

New Zealand National Statement, World Health Organisation – 154th meeting of the Executive Board(external link) (25 January 2024)

United Nations Security Council: Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question (23 January 2023)

United Nations General Assembly: Veto Initiative meeting – The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (10 January 2024)

United Nations General Assembly: Emergency Special Session on the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (13 December 2023)

Joint statement - Prime Ministers of New Zealand, Australia and Canada(external link) (13 December 2023)

New Zealand welcomes further pause in fighting in Gaza(external link) (1 December 2023)

United Nations General Assembly: Informal plenary meeting on the conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (21 November 2023)

Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel(external link) (18 November 2023)

United Nations General Assembly: Tenth Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly (28 October 2023)

UN General Assembly 10th Emergency Special Session: New Zealand Explanation of Vote (27 October 2023)

New Zealand calls for humanitarian pause in Gaza(external link) (25 October 2023)

New Zealand National Statement, UN Security Council Open Debate: Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question (24 October 2023)

New Zealand provides humanitarian support to Israel and Gaza(external link) (17 October 2023)

Government to assist with departures from Tel Aviv(external link) (12 October 2023)

Statement on the escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza(external link) (8 October 2023)

Official Information Act Responses

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade publishes selected responses to Official Information Act (OIA) requests soon after the Ministry has sent the response to the requestor. A number of recent Israel-Hamas related responses are available below.

General advice

Humanitarian funding

UNRWA

International law

Consular

Top

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our website, to analyze our website traffic, and to understand where our visitors are coming from. You can find out more information on our Privacy Page.