America News Agency

Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsin Aghabekian Shaheen met with Vinian Chishire, Director of the Africa and Middle East Division at New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the delegation accompanying him.

According to a statement from the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shaheen briefed the delegation on developments in the Palestinian territories. Stating that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip had reached "catastrophic proportions" due to insufficient aid deliveries and the continued closure of border crossings, Shaheen said the situation in the West Bank was also deteriorating, with an increase in settler attacks and settlement expansion.

Shaheen called on the international community to intervene to stop Israeli-related crimes against the Palestinian people. She also drew attention to the economic and social impact of the continued withholding of tax revenues and the shekel accumulation crisis, stressing that the priority in Gaza should be to intensify relief and humanitarian response efforts before beginning the reconstruction process.

Calling on New Zealand to recognize the State of Palestine, Shaheen said such a step would contribute to supporting the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and implementing the two-state solution, which she described as the only viable solution. Shaheen also thanked New Zealand for its assistance to Palestine, particularly its support in the health and education sectors and for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

Chishire, an official from New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said his visit was aimed at understanding the reality experienced by the Palestinian people and conveying what was taking place. Stating that they would continue to support Palestine in various fields, Chishire said they supported the rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination.

Chishire highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries at different levels and on international platforms, and said official reciprocal visits should be increased.