New Zealand has urged Israel to rethink its offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where many have sheltered from attacks in its war with Hamas.
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On Sunday night local time, Israel launched a major air attack on the the city, which borders Egypt.
There are fears that a ground offensive will follow as President Benjamin Netanyahu signals his desire to hunt and kill Hamas militants who were responsible for the surprise October 7 attacks on Israel.
On Monday afternoon, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon added his country to the long list of those asking Israel to refrain from further bloodshed.
"Palestinian civilians cannot pay the price of Israel trying to defeat Hamas," Mr Luxon said.
"There are 1.5 million Palestinians sheltering in Rafah at the moment. We are extremely concerned about that."
According to reports, the Israeli military announced it had rescued two elderly Israeli hostages held by Hamas since its October 7 attack.
The same reports suggest around 50 people have been killed in the air and sea raids, including people sheltering at mosques.
Mr Luxon said New Zealand "does not support's Israel's operations in Rafah" but - echoing sentiments from US President Joe Biden - if Israel were to proceed, it must offer civilians a lifeline.
"We want to see proportionate, controlled, targeted and precise action from Israel," he said.
"A failure to do so undermines it's long-term security in terms of what it does within the region, causing resentment clearly, and not getting us any closer to a peaceful diplomatic solution to the Middle East peace process.
"The reality is both sides need to be able to get around the table and actually find a pathway to sustainable ceasefire."
Mr Luxon said New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was engaged in diplomatic efforts to get Israel to pull back.
Mr Peters said on Sunday that "the humanitarian consequences of a ground offensive would be appalling".
The UK, Germany, EU and Egypt are among those to issue similar statements of concern.
The Palestinian death toll passed 28,000 last week - equal to around 300 deaths a day during the conflict.
Australian Associated Press
