New Zealand's prime minister said on Wednesday that what happened in Gaza was ‘extremely horrific’ and ‘unacceptable.’

Speaking to reporters in the capital Wellington, Christopher Luxon criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for ‘going too far.’ ‘I think Netanyahu has gone too far. I think he has lost control. And I think what we saw last night, the attack on Gaza City, is completely, completely unacceptable,’ he said.

This announcement came at a time when New Zealand was preparing to recognise Palestine. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement two days ago that the government would officially recognise Palestine in September and that this position would be announced during the UN General Assembly leaders' week.

Luxon spoke to the press following a tense day in which MPs debated New Zealand's plan to recognise the State of Palestine. He added that New Zealand is a small country with very limited trade with Israel, but that it stands by its values.

"As you can see, Israel is not listening to the global community. We demanded that humanitarian aid be delivered without hindrance. This did not happen," he said.

Luxon emphasised that the Israeli prime minister's plan to fully occupy Gaza would violate international law and added that the recent attacks could ‘close the door’ to a two-state solution. ‘I'm telling you my personal opinion, as a human being, after examining the situation, this is how I feel,’ he said.

Following the decision by its allies France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia to recognise an independent Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly, New Zealand also announced that it was considering taking a similar step.

Israel is facing increasing condemnation for its genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed approximately 61,600 people since October 2023.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its war on the region.(ILKHA)