Kishida urges parties in Gaza conflict to follow int’l law

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Friday expressed concern over the situation in Israel, saying that all parties involved in the conflict should abide by international law.

In a joint press statement, Kishida said the matter was discussed during his bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at the Palace.

He noted that it is important to prevent the spread of the hostilities towards other nearby nations.

“We expressed concerns about the situation of the hostage and also the safety and security of the people and that all parties should abide by the international law and prevent the spread of [the] situation into the surrounding countries and that it is important to establish a peaceful situation in Gaza,” Kishida said as translated by an interpreter.

Israel has said Palestine militant group Hamas killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took more than 240 hostages in the attack on Oct. 7, the deadliest day of its 75-year-old history.

Israel said it had surrounded the Gaza Strip’s biggest city and the focus of its drive to annihilate Hamas.

Meanwhile, citing Israeli authorities, Marcos earlier said Filipinos who are waiting to leave Gaza through the Rafah border could leave by Saturday “at the latest.”

Marcos previously ensured that the Philippines stands with Israel following the deadly attacks perpetrated by Hamas. —NB, GMA Integrated News