Australia, Canada, New Zealand urge immediate ceasefire in Gaza amid regional tensions

In a recent joint statement, the foreign ministries of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza, citing the catastrophic humanitarian situation and the risk of an expanded conflict involving Hezbollah and Israel.

The statement emphasizes that the ongoing human suffering in Gaza is unacceptable and cannot continue, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Canadian government press service.

The three countries unequivocally condemned Hamas for the atrocities committed on October 7 and the ongoing acts of terror. They insisted that Hamas must disarm and release all hostages, stating that they see no future role for the group in Gaza’s governance.

The statement urged Israel to heed international community concerns, highlighting the need for civilian protection as mandated by international humanitarian law. The countries stressed that Palestinian civilians should not bear the brunt of efforts to defeat Hamas and that an immediate ceasefire is crucial. They called for a sustained increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza to address the dire situation.

Australia, Canada, and New Zealand expressed strong support for the comprehensive ceasefire deal proposed by President Biden and endorsed by the UN Security Council, urging all parties to accept it to prevent further loss of life.

The joint statement also reiterated commitment to working towards a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can coexist peacefully within internationally recognized borders. They urged Israel to address the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion, ensure accountability for violence against Palestinians, halt the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, and advance the two-state solution.

The statement voiced grave concern over potential further escalation in the region. It condemned Iran’s attack on Israel in April, called for Iran to cease destabilizing actions, and demanded that Iran and its affiliates, including Hezbollah, stop their attacks. The countries also criticized the Houthis for their reckless behaviour, including indiscriminate drone attacks and assaults on international shipping.

Particular concern was expressed about the escalating situation along the Blue Line, which has displaced thousands of people in both Israel and Lebanon. The statement highlighted the risk of further hostilities endangering tens of thousands of civilians and underscored the urgent need for restraint and de-escalation.

In conclusion, the three nations supported diplomatic efforts to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and warned of the disastrous consequences of a broader conflict for Israel, Lebanon, and the wider region.