Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Deteriorating Situation in the Gaza Strip

January 4, 2009

The Government of Japan is deeply concerned about the fact that the situation in and around the Gaza Strip is deteriorating, and that Israeli ground troops have entered the Strip, in spite of international community's calls for a ceasefire. At the same time, Japan deplores the fact that the rocket attacks launched from the Gaza Strip against Israel are continuing.
Japan continues to urge strongly both Israel and Palestinian militants to immediately halt the use of force and achieve a durable cessation of violence, especially in order to prevent a further increase in civilian casualties.
Japan keeps a close eye on the changing situation in Gaza with deep concern, and will continue its assistance to the Palestinian people, including the emergency humanitarian assistance of around 10 million US dollars for the Gaza Strip, which Prime Minister Taro Aso expressed to President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas on January 3 in view of the current situation.

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