New Zealand seeks immediate return to ceasefire amid renewed Israel war on Gaza

Palestinians flee the area after an Israeli airstrike targets the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, sending plumes of smoke into the sky on March 25, 2025. [Ali Jadallah – Anadolu Agency]

New Zealand called, Thursday, for an immediate return to a ceasefire following a renewed Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip, Anadolu Agency reports.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, spoke with Palestinian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Mustafa, on the latest situation in Gaza.

“They discussed the importance of an immediate resumption of the ceasefire in Gaza, of all hostages being released without delay, and of all sides upholding their international legal obligations,” said a statement posted on Peters’ official X account.

The two sides also discussed the Arab Summit’s reconstruction plan for Gaza.

READ: Majority of Canadians support continued arms ban on Israel, arrest warrant for Netanyahu: Poll

The Israeli army launched a surprise aerial campaign on the Gaza Strip on 18 March, killing nearly 800 people and injuring over 1,600 despite a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and the Palestinian group, Hamas, which took hold in January.

More than 50,100 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 113,700 injured in a brutal Israeli military onslaught on Gaza since October 2023.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

READ: Humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepening: Doctors Without Borders

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