The New Zealand Government has welcomed the announcement of a breakthrough peace deal between Israel and Hamas, which includes the release of hostages and a potential pathway toward ending years of violence in the region.
The United States confirmed earlier today that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a US-brokered peace framework.
According to US President Donald Trump, the deal will allow for the swift release of all hostages, with an Israeli source suggesting the first group could be freed as early as this weekend.
In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “With God’s help we will bring them all home,” while a Qatari official confirmed that an agreement had been reached “on all the provisions and implementation mechanisms of the first phase.”
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters welcomed the development, describing it as “a positive first step in bringing suffering to an end.”
“Over the past two years, both Israelis and Palestinians have suffered immensely,” said Mr Peters. “We commend the efforts of the parties involved in the negotiations, including the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye.”
Mr Peters also acknowledged the importance of international pressure in bringing about the agreement.
“We said in New York two weeks ago that countries with leverage over the situation needed to step up and show leadership. We commend them for doing just that,” he said.
New Zealand has consistently called for a ceasefire and the release of hostages during the ongoing conflict.
Mr Peters reiterated that call, urging both parties to honour their commitments.
“Hamas needs to release all of the hostages and Israel must withdraw their troops to the agreed-upon line. This is an essential first step towards achieving lasting peace,” he said.
Mr Peters also noted the domestic response to the conflict, referencing widespread protests in New Zealand over the situation in Gaza.
“We look forward to all those protestors, and their political allies in Parliament, joining the Government today in applauding the deal that has been struck,” he added.
