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Israel's air force fired about 30 missiles at targets in the Gaza Strip, destroying several Hamas police compounds and killing more than 200 people - Source: Reuters -
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The Israeli Ambassador to New Zealand says the attacks on Gaza are an appropriate response to continued military action from Hamas.
Yural Rotem says the Israeli government is responding in kind to ongoing rocket fire into Israel.
New Zealand has so far taken a wait-and-see approach - Foreign Minister Murray McCully will not be drawn on whether the government will take a side on the flare-up.
However, Rotem says he would like to see the government echo the stance of the European Union, which he says is acknowledging that Hamas is contributing to instability in the Middle East.
Rotem says that although it wants a ceasefire in Gaza, Israel must also take action to defend itself.
The NZ government's refusal to take sides has also drawn the ire of Palestinian advocates.
The Palestine Human Rights Campaign (PHRC) says the UK government signed a cross-party press release condemning strikes on Gaza, and that New Zealand should do the same.
Spokesperson Tuma Hazou says the government needs to take the side of international humanitarian law and insist on an immediate ceasefire.
Are you a New Zealander currently visiting or living in Gaza? Get in touch with ONE News at news@tvnz.co.nz
