Australia, Canada, New Zealand call for ‘urgent’ cease-fire in Gaza

ISTANBUL (AA) – Australia, Canada and New Zealand have called for an “urgent” cease-fire in Gaza, which has been under attack by Israel for about ten months.

In a joint statement, the three nations said the situation in Gaza is “catastrophic.”

“The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue,” the statement said.

Criticizing Palestinian resistance group Hamas for the October 7, 2023 attack, the statement said Israel “must listen to the concerns of the international community.”

“An immediate cease-fire is needed desperately. Civilians must be protected, and a sustained increase in the flow of assistance throughout Gaza is needed to address the humanitarian situation,” said the statement.

“The protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement under international humanitarian law,” it said, adding that Hamas “must lay down its arms and release all hostages.”

However, importantly, the three nations made it clear: “We see no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza.”

The statement came after 14 Palestinian groups, including rivals Hamas and Fatah, signed the Beijing Declaration on Tuesday where they agreed to form an interim national government to administer the post-war Gaza.

About the escalation on the border with Lebanon, the statement said: “Further hostilities put tens of thousands of civilians in Lebanon and Israel at risk.”

Israel has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza. It has killed nearly 39,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 90,400, according to local health authorities.