New Zealand designates entirety of Hamas as 'terrorist entity'

New Zealand on Thursday (Feb 29) designated Hamas as a "terrorist entity", becoming one of the last Western countries to do so stating that the October 7 assault destroyed the notion that its political wings could be separated from the military ones.

"The organisation as a whole bears responsibility for these horrific terrorist attacks," the government said, announcing a move that spells a freeze on Hamas assets in New Zealand and a ban on providing it with "material support".

"The terrorist attacks by Hamas in October 2023 were brutal and we have unequivocally condemned them," New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in a statement.

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Luxon highlighted that the designation was about Hamas "and is not a reflection on the Palestinian people in Gaza and around the world" while indicating humanitarian support would continue.

"The designation does not stop New Zealand from providing humanitarian and future development assistance to benefit civilians in Gaza."

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New Zealand has designated the Qassam Brigades, which is the military wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas as a terrorist entity since the year 2010. However, it was earlier reluctant to designate the entire group as a terrorist entity.

Hamas, which is also a political party and enjoys widespread support across Palestine, had won the elections in Gaza in the year 2006 and since then has ruled without fresh polls.

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New Zealand announces sanctions on 'extremist Israeli settlers'

Meanwhile, some New Zealand political figures have argued that the Israel Defense Forces should also be slapped with a similar terrorist designation as the one being handed over to Hamas over its months-long Gaza offensive that has claimed the lives of over 30,000 people, as per Hamas-controlled authorities in the territory.

The probability of such a move is highly unlikely, however, New Zealand on Thursday also announced sanctions on nearly a dozen "extremist Israeli settlers" accused of violence against Palestinians.

"We are imposing travel bans on a number of people known to have committed violent acts. These individuals will not be able to travel to New Zealand," said Foreign Minister Winston Peters.

The individuals were not publicly named.

(With inputs from agencies)