Special report: Palestine-Israel Conflicts

    WELLINGTON, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand will give the International Committee of the Red Cross one million NZ dollars (546,000 U.S. dollars) to support its humanitarian work in Gaza, Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced on Monday.

    "This money will help the Red Cross provide urgently needed medical supplies and safe drinking water to the civilian population of Gaza, and to care for those affected by the conflict," McCully said in a statement.

    "There is a pressing need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza, and the ceasefire provides a window for aid agencies to provide that help, he added.

    He said the situation on the ground remained fragile, but the current lull in fighting was a positive development, "which we hope will lead to a lasting ceasefire agreement," McCully said.