MANILA - The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, expressed on Sunday concern about the ongoing battle between Israeli defense forces and militants in Hamas-controlled Gaza and Southern Israel that had killed more than 200 people so far.
"The Philippines is deeply concerned about the worsening situation in Gaza and Southern Israel, and deplores the continuing violence, rocket attacks and excessive use of force that have already resulted in much damage and suffering and hundreds of casualties, particularly among civilians," DFA spokesman Claro Cristobal said in a text message sent to media outfits.
"The Philippines urges all parties to exercise restraint, cease immediately all acts of violence and fully respect international humanitarian law," Cristobal added.
The Israeli offensive in Gaza began eight days after a six-month truce between Israel and the militants expired.
Warplanes from Israel bombarded security sites in Gaza, killing at least 230 people in one of the Middle East conflict's bloodiest assaults in decades. The Israeli government said the campaign was aimed at stopping rocket attacks that the militants launched on southern Israel.
The Israeli army says Palestinian militants have fired some 300 rockets and mortars at Israeli targets over the past week, and 10 times that number over the past year.
According to wire reports, most of the casualties were security forces, but Palestinian officials said at least 15 civilians were among the dead. More than 400 people were also wounded.
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