Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said New Zealand "condemns unequivocally" the "terror attacks" by Hamas on Israel overnight.
Hundreds of people have died in Israel and the Gaza Strip amid the fighting.
"We are appalled by the targeting of civilians and the taking of hostages, which violates fundamental international humanitarian principals. New Zealand's designated the military wing of Hamas a terrorist organisation," Hipkins said this afternoon.
"We recognise Israel's right to defend itself," he added.
"We are concerned that the situation will escalate in the coming days, and New Zealand again calls for restraint, the protection of non-combatants and the upholding of international humanitarian law by all parties."
The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel dominated talk on the campaign trail today. (Source: 1News)
Hipkins said New Zealand has 87 people within Israel registered on the Safe Travel website, and one resident within Palestinian territories. He said consular support is available for citizens in the area who needed assistance.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said in a post on social media that New Zealand is "deeply concerned" about the events and called for an "immediate cessation" of the conflict.
National leader Christopher Luxon condemned the attacks and "the violence and suffering being inflicted on innocent civilians". He said there is "no justification".
ACT leader David Seymour said: "ACT New Zealand utterly condemns the appalling attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israel.
"We stand with our friends and allies the United States, Australia and Britain in condemning the attacks, which include indiscriminate rocket fire on Israeli cities and the killing of innocent civilians."
He also said the party stands with the people of Israel and supports Israel's right to defend itself.
Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman – New Zealand's first refugee MP – said: "The scenes in Israel are heartbreaking.
"Nothing justifies targeting or harming civilians.
"Palestinian armed groups and Israeli forces must make every effort to protect civilians now."
International relations expert on attack
International relations expert Robert Patman spoke to 1News about the attacks, saying he believes "there's not going to be a military solution to this conflict."
"I think what we're looking at is a pretty grim end game for many Palestinians in the near-future... We could be facing a humanitarian crisis of major proportions if this conflict is allowed to escalate with Israel seeking a military solution," he said.
He said that while he doesn't condone any of the actions taken by the Hamas, "both Palestinians and Israelis deserve to live in security and have the right of self-determination respected".
He said the UN should get involved, as the international community "[needs] to actually deal with the causes [of the conflict], and that needs a high level international diplomatic initiative".
Patman said the attacks are a "terrible tragedy".
"What the crisis highlights above all else, is the fact we have a UN Security Council which is just not fit for purpose. It should be an obstacle to war, it failed to prevent Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which was a huge violation and breach of international law. And now it's failed once again to deal with a long-running problem.
"This problem hasn't come out of a clear blue sky."
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