The New Zealand government designated all of Hamas as a “terrorist entity” on Thursday, expanding its policy toward the Islamist group.
The country now considers Hamas's political wing a “terrorist entity.” He designated Hamas' military wing as a “terrorist entity” in 2010.
“What happened on October 7 reinforces that we can no longer distinguish between the military and political wings of Hamas,” said New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
He said that “the organization as a whole is responsible for these horrific terrorist attacks.”
The move means that all Hamas assets in New Zealand will be frozen, and any financial or property transactions or material support to Hamas is now a criminal offense in the country.
Calls to end violence: New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon clarified that “this designation targets Hamas, not the provision of private humanitarian support to Palestinian civilians.”
It will also not hinder New Zealand's efforts to provide humanitarian and development assistance to civilians in Gaza, Luxon said.
Consular support for New Zealand citizens or permanent residents in the conflict zone will also not be affected.
Peters said Wellington remains “gravely concerned” about the impact of the conflict on civilians in Gaza and called for “an end to the violence and the urgent resumption of the Middle East peace process.”
“A lasting solution to the conflict will only be achieved through peaceful means,” Peters said.
