Prime Ministers of Australia, Canada and New Zealand issue joint plea for Gaza ceasefire

The leaders of three major countries have urged Israel to come to a ceasefire, saying the situation in Gaza is ‘catastrophic’.

The leaders of Australia, Canada and New Zealand have issued a joint statement, urging for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Anthony Albanese, alongside Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon, issued the joint statement on Friday afternoon.

“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic,” the statement reads.

“The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.”

Anthony Albanese has called for a Gaza ceasefire. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

The statement was joint with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Picture: ANDREJ IVANOV / AFP

The statement was also joint with NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

The trio said they remain “unequivocal” in their condemnation of Hamas for the “atrocities of October 7 and ongoing acts of terror”.

They say Hamas must “lay down its arms” and release all hostages, with the three leaders saying there is “no role” for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza.

Palestinian health authorities have recently said Israel’s continued ground and air campaign in Gaza since October last year has killed more than 39,000 people.

Most of those killed are believed to be civilians, with 2.3 million residents driven out of their homes and into shelters.

Mr Albanese, Mr Luxon and Mr Trudeau are urging Israel to “listen to the concerns of the international community”.

“The protection of civilians is paramount and a requirement under international humanitarian law,” the statement said.

“Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas. It must end.

“An immediate ceasefire is needed desperately.

“Civilians must be protected, and a sustained increase in the flow of assistance throughout Gaza is needed to address the humanitarian situation.”

TPalestinian health authorities have recently said Israel’s continued ground and air campaign in Gaza since October last year has killed more than 39,000 people. Picture:Eyad BABA / AFP

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants crossed the border into Israeli communities and killed 1200 people and took 253 locals into captivity in Gaza.

The statement from the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian leader comes after US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire.

The leaders of the United States met with Mr Netanyahu on Thursday at the White House, where it was reported Mr Biden has told the Israeli leader to “compromise” to achieve peace”.

We fully stand behind the comprehensive ceasefire deal, outlined by President Biden and endorsed by the UN Security Council,” Mr Albanese, Mr Trudeau and Mr Luxon said in the statement.

“We call on parties to the conflict to agree to the deal. Any delay will only see more lives lost.

“We are committed to working towards an irreversible path to achieving a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live securely within internationally recognised borders.”

The trio said this is the only “realistic” option to achieve peace.

They called on Israel to respond to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion and ensure the accountability for ongoing acts of violence against Palestinian people by extremist settlers, reverse the record expansion of settlements in the West Bank which are illegal under international law, and work towards a two-state solution.

The leaders of Australia, Canada and New Zealand are calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)

They said they were “gravely concerned” about the prospect of further escalation across the region.

“We condemn Iran’s attack against Israel of April 13-14, call on Iran to refrain from further destabilising actions in the Middle East, and demand that Iran and its affiliated groups, including Hizballah, cease their attacks,” they said.

“We also condemn the Houthis’ ongoing reckless acts, including their indiscriminate drone attack in Tel Aviv and ongoing attacks on international shipping.”

The trio said they were “particularly concerned” by escalating hostilities between terror group Hizballah and Israel, which has led to the displacement of thousands of Israeli people.

“This escalation in hostilities only makes a ceasefire in Gaza more urgent,” they said.

“We urge all involved actors to exercise restraint and de-escalate. We support diplomatic efforts to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

“A wider scale war would have disastrous consequences for Israel and Lebanon, and for civilians across the region.”