Canada, Australia and New Zealand — which along with the US and Britain make up the intelligence alliance known as the Five Eyes — have released a joint statement backing a ceasefire in Gaza, Reuters reports.

“We think it’s important that we have very close allies and like-minded countries speak together in support of the position that we’ve articulated,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, adding the statement had been under discussion “for some time”.

Australia and Canada abstained from an October UN resolution calling for a ceasefire, with New Zealand voting in favour.

The US is one of Australia’s closest allies. As well as the Five Eyes, the two nations are part of the AUKUS security pact with Britain, and have been in lockstep on foreign policy for decades.