Japan flags serious concern over Israeli military operation in Lebanon that has killed thousands

Japan on Friday expressed "serious" concern over Israel’s military operations in Lebanon that have so far killed thousands and displaced about a million people, urging an end to the hostilities.

Tokyo "strongly" called for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to be respected, according to a statement from Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

The Israeli army has intensified attacks across Lebanon since Wednesday, killing at least 303 people and injuring 1,150 others, according to Lebanese Civil Defense.

The expanded Israeli offensive on Lebanon since March 2 has killed 1,888 people and wounded 6,092 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry also said attacks on UN personnel are "unacceptable," and condemned all threats to the safety and security of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Three Indonesian peacekeepers from UNIFIL were also killed in the country in March.

"In order to prevent a further deterioration of the situation, Japan calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, and strongly urges all parties to comply with international law including international humanitarian law, and to fully implement relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including UNSCR 1701," Tokyo said.

Japan also urged maximum restraint and sincere efforts for a diplomatic settlement, to "prevent further escalation."