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Download AudioThe New Zealand Nurses Organisation – Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa – says Israel’s actions in Gaza are genocide, and it hopes international condemnation will force a ceasefire.
Gaza’s Health Ministry estimates at least 11,100 people have been killed since October 7, the majority of them women and children, or about one in 20 of the enclave’s 2 million residents.
Nurses Organisation kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku, says as a mid-wife and a mother the images of dying premature babies will always be with her.
She says healthcare professionals are continuing their work under horrific conditions.
“This is just, significant acts of genocide that is happening and if we as a group of healthcare workers don’t stand up and become the voice – outside of Gaza – for our colleagues working tirelessly within it, then we’re not much of healthcare professionals,” she says.
Ms Nuku says healthcare workers are dying alongside the patients they are trying to care for – and there needs to be an immediate ceasefire and emergency aid allowed into Gaza.
Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins has called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, saying he was not making the call as caretaker prime minister.
Prime Minister elect Chris Luxon says the call was unhelpful as the conditions for ceasefire were not there.
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