Auckland, Oct. 9 -- New Zealand welcomes the announcement of the first phase of the US-led peace deal between Israel and Hamas, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.

"Over the past two years, both Israelis and Palestinians have suffered immensely," Peters says. "Today is a positive first step in bringing that suffering to an end", he added

"We commend the efforts of the parties involved in the negotiations, including the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye. We said in New York two weeks ago that countries with leverage over the situation needed to step up and show leadership. We commend them for doing just that. We have long called for the release of all the hostages and for a ceasefire, so that the immense suffering can end. The parties must...