Special flight

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories remained highly volatile so any New Zealanders who can get out of the region on commercial airlines should do so.

On Saturday, Palestinian Islamic group Hamas launched an unexpected attack on Israel which saw rockets fired and gunmen cross the border.

In response, Israel began firing back. More than 1000 people have lost their lives and even more are wounded.

According to the New Zealand High Commission in Tonga, 200 passengers boarded the return flight to Auckland.

All passengers arriving in Auckland are required to comply with health screening and go into managed isolation.

The flight, a weekly scheduled Air New Zealand service, received an exemption from the current flight diversion order.

Peter Lund, Deputy High Commissioner went out to see the flight and the New Zealanders and foreign nationals on it off on their journey.