Live updates: Hundreds killed in Israel and Gaza after Hamas attack

8 Oct 2023

RNZ

Navigation for News Categories

Photo: AFP / Majdi Fathi

A "significant number" of Israeli civilians and soldiers are being held hostage by Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has spoken about the escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza, saying there was "no justification" for the Hamas attacks.

The New Zealand government has called for the immediate cessation of violence, with hundreds of people killed in Israel and Gaza after the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched its biggest attack in years.

A man finds his way along a debris-strewn street following Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 7, 2023. Photo: MOHAMMED ABED / AFP

More than 250 people have been killed in Israel, with more than 230 people in Gaza killed in retaliatory strikes.

In an official statement, the prime minister said New Zealand "condemns unequivocally the terror attacks led by Hamas on Israel. We are appalled by the targeting of civilians, and the taking of hostages which violate fundamental international humanitarian law principles".

Hipkins said New Zealand had designated the military wing of Hamas as a terrorist organisation, and recognised Israel's right to defend itself."

"We are very concerned that the situation will escalate in the coming days and New Zealand again calls for restraint, the protection of non-combatants, and the upholding of international humanitarian law by all parties."

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has this afternoon said New Zealand "utterly condemns" the attacks by Hamas, after earlier calling for the immediate cessation of violence.