Australia, Canada, New Zealand urge efforts for ‘sustainable ceasefire’ in Gaza

WASHINGTON

Australia, Canada and New Zealand urged an international effort Tuesday for a “sustainable ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip conflict and voiced alarm about the diminishing safe spaces for civilians in the Palestinian enclave amid ongoing Israeli attacks.

The prime ministers of the three nations expressed deep concern about the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing risks to all Palestinians.

“The recent pause in hostilities allowed for the release of more than 100 hostages and supported an increase in humanitarian access to affected civilians,” the leaders said in a statement.

“We want to see this pause resumed and support urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire. This cannot be one-sided,” they said.

They demanded increased and sustained safe and unimpeded humanitarian access.

“The price of defeating Hamas cannot be the continuous suffering of all Palestinian civilians.”

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, on Oct. 7.

At least 18,412 Palestinians have since been killed and 50,100 injured in the Israeli onslaught, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stood at 1,200, while nearly 139 hostages remain in captivity, according to official figures.

• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand