A Palestinian man reacts as he stands amid the destruction in the aftermath of Israeli bombardment in al-Karama district in Gaza City on October 11, 2023. Photo: AFP / Mahmud Hams
A Tongan New Zealand church group attempting to flee Israel is disappointed the New Zealand government is charging people for a repatriation flight which doesn't bring them back home.
The Tongan group is made up of 45 New Zealand citizens, some elderly including one who is battling cancer and in need of medication.
The government has secured 90 seats on the first flight to assist New Zealand and Pacific nationals to leave Israel - but it comes at a cost.
RNZ Pacific's Eleisha Foon spoke with Torisse Laulu, a close friend of Pesi Sikalu, a 26-year-old member of the church group who is in Israel.
