Christopher Luxon says Israel’s leader Benjamin Netanyahu had “lost the plot” as his country weighs up whether to recognise a Palestinian state.

“I think what’s happening in Gaza is utterly utterly appalling. I think Netanyahu has gone way too far. I think he has lost the plot,” the prime minister told reporters.

He called Israeli attacks overnight on Gaza “utterly unacceptable” and said the forceful displacement of people and the annexation of Gaza would be a breach of international law.

“We have called these things out consistently… and he’s just not listening,” the leader added.