NZ First leader and former foreign minister Winston Peters says threatening to kill hostages is a step too far for the defenders of Gaza.
The enclave on Israel’s southern coast under bombardment after Hamas militants broke through the surrounding fence and attacked neighbouring villages and military bases.
Mr Peters says New Zealand supports a two state solution and upholding the rule of law – and on that basis the murderous attack launched at the weekend on innocent civilians is inexcusable.
“People are saying ‘don’t assign blame.’ Yes you can assign blame when a terrorist group like that takes on innocent people in a park and kidnaps them and threatens to kill them of the other side doesn’t stop reacting. This is just incredible stuff,” he says.
Mr Peters says Prime Minister Chris Hipkins belatedly gave the right response to the attack.
