Japanese premier calls on Netanyahu to calm down situation in Gaza

KARACHI, Pakistan

Japanese Premier Fumio Kishida on Wednesday called on his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu to calm down the situation as soon as possible to minimize civilian casualties and to act by international law, including international humanitarian law.

In a phone call, Kishida also urged against a "constant" increase in civilian casualties, according to a statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Kishida said Tokyo supports a "two-state solution" and that "it is important for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace."

Netanyahu, for his part, explained Israel’s "position on its military actions in the Gaza Strip," the statement added.

Israel resumed its military offensive on the Palestinian territory on Friday after the end of a weeklong humanitarian pause with the Palestinian group Hamas.

At least 16,248 Palestinians have been killed and more than 43,616 others injured in relentless air and ground attacks on the enclave since Oct. 7 following a cross-border attack by Hamas.

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stood at 1,200, according to official figures.

Netanyahu in his talks with Kishida also expressed "concerns about the frequent attacks against vessels in the Red Sea and other areas."

Expressing his "deep" concern about the attacks, Kishida "unequivocally" condemned acts that impeded free and safe navigation of vessels, including the “seizure” of a Japan-related vessel.

"The two leaders concurred to continue close communication and cooperation on the situation in the Middle East, including in the Gaza Strip," the statement concluded.

Kishida met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog last week on the sidelines of a climate conference in the United Arab Emirates.