Labour Party leader Phil Goff has deplored the increasing death toll in the fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Mr Goff says the toll of dead and injured is overwhelmingly of civilians.
He says neither Hamas nor the Israeli forces can escape condemnation for their actions.
Mr Goff says the best prospect for finding a solution remains an international agreement to end the conflict and finding a way to improve the living conditions of those in Gaza.
He hopes the incoming Obama administration in the United States can bring fresh ideas and determination to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
