Leaders of Canada, Australia, New Zealand call for immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza

The leaders of Canada, Australia and New Zealand called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, according to a joint statement released in response to reports about Israel's planned military operation in Rafah, a Palestinian city in the southern Gaza Strip.

It said that an immediate humanitarian ceasefire is urgently needed. The statement urged Israel not to conduct the offensive, however, it said any ceasefire could not be "one sided," and would require Hamas to disarm and immediately release all remaining hostages.

Earlier, Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel will press ahead with an



offensive against Hamas in Rafah, the last refuge for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza, after allowing civilians to vacate the area.

The leaders also said the International Court of Justice's January ruling in a genocide case brought by South Africa obligated Israel to protect civilians and deliver basic services and essential humanitarian assistance.

The statement said that the protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement under international humanitarian law. It said that the Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas.