New Zealand mulls recognising Palestine as state

New Zealand is mulling the possibility of recognising a Palestinian state, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Monday.

He stated that a formal decision would be made by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's cabinet in September, with the government's position expected to be shared during the UN Leaders' Week.

 In recent weeks, countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada have declared their intention to support Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September. 

Peters emphasized that, despite moves by close allies, New Zealand maintains an independent foreign policy.

Check: Australia to officially recognise Palestinian state next month

“New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if," Peters added.

Due to the severe food shortage caused by the Israeli blockade, at least 175 people, including 93 children, have died from hunger-related causes in Gaza. Thousands more are experiencing acute malnutrition and remain at risk of starvation.

Israel’s war on Gaza has so far killed at least  61,430 people and wounded 153,213 others, according to local health authorities.