LOC18:47
15:47 GMT
TOKYO, Nov 15 (KUNA) -- Japan and China on Thursday expressed deep concern
over the deadly violence in the Gaza Strip, calling on both Israel and
Palestinian militants to show restraint. In Tokyo, Foreign Ministry Press
Secretary Yutaka Yokoi said in a statement that the Japanese government is
deeply concerned about the recent situation in the Gaza Strip, in which
tension in and around Gaza is escalated and civilians are becoming casualties.
"Japan is convinced that the problems people in the Middle East face can
never be solved through violence but only through negotiations and efforts to
build mutual trust among parties to the conflict," said Yokoi. "Japan strongly
hopes that all the parties concerned will make the utmost efforts to that end,
" he added.
In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei voiced China's "grave
concern" over Israel's large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip,
according to the official Xinhua News Agency. "We are highly concerned with
the operation and strongly condemn any action that causes civilian casualties,
" Hong Lei said while commenting on the massive airstrikes launched by Israel
on the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, which caused deaths and injuries of people,
including Ahmed al-Jaabari, head of Ezz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, an armed
group under Hamas.
Hong urged all relevant parties, especially Israel, to maintain maximum
restraint to avoid an escalation of the tense situation.
The conflict between Israel and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has been
escalating in recent days.
On Saturday, Palestinian militants fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli
Defense Forces patrol jeep, wounding four soldiers. In retaliation, the
Israeli Air Force carried out several airstrikes on Palestinian targets in
Gaza. Hamas launched more than 150 rockets and mortar shells into southern
Israel in return. (end)
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KUNA 151847 Nov 12NNNN