Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko on Thursday had phone conversations with three of her counterparts from Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan, to discuss the situation in Gaza, following conversations earlier in the week with the Foreign Ministers of Palestine and Israel.

These telephone talks came in the wake of the announcement by Japan that it will lift the suspension of financial contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and to provide assistance, while maintaining checks on the appropriate use of funds.

Kamikawa spoke with Foreign Ministers Abdallah Bouhabib of Lebanon, Sameh Shoukry of Egypt and Ayman Safadi of Jordan to discuss the situation surrounding Palestine and Israel.

In each of the telephone talks, Kamikawa expressed her concern on the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and mentioned Japan’s adoption of the UN Security Council resolution on March 25 that pointed out the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire during Ramadan and the expansion of humanitarian assistance.

Kamikawa said Japan would provide assistance such as medical services for Palestinians in neighboring countries and other areas and provide supplies for women and infants in view of the poor sanitary conditions in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking to Minister Shoukry of Egypt, Kamikawa stated that Japan will aid through the World Health Organization in response to the medical and health needs of Egypt, which has been receiving seriously injured patients, newborns, and others from the Gaza Strip.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister noted the extremely serious humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and said that the resumption of funding to UNRWA by Japan was the right decision. He appreciated Japan’s assistance to Palestine and expressed his expectation and gratitude for Japan’s role in the international arena, including in the UN Security Council.

Minister Bouhabib of Lebanon expressed his appreciation for Japan’s assistance to Lebanon and Palestine and for the resumption of Japan’s contributions to UNRWA.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister also commented on the serious humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, adding that as a host country with many Palestinian refugees, he appreciated Japan’s support for Palestine, the resumption of contributions to UNRWA and Japan’s assistance to Jordan.

Kamikawa restated Japan’s support for a “two-state solution” and said it will contribute to the reform of the Palestinian Authority to that end.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Kamikawa also discussed, especially with Foreign Minister Shoukry of Egypt, the possible spillover of the situation in the region and the attack on an Iranian facility in Syria.