Arab News Japan

Japan’s Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko urged her Israeli counterpart Israel Katz on Monday that an immediate ceasefire must be realized in Gaza in order for the hostages in the strip to be released. 

In a telephone call, Kamikawa also conveyed Japan’s deep concern for the current humanitarian situation in Gaza and its opposition of Israel’s full scale military operation in Rafah.

Kamikawa shared that a conducive environment for humanitarian assistance in Gaza should be ensured, including making full use of the Rafah crossing. 

Additionally, the Japanese minister shared that the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) orders are legally binding and should be observed in good faith. 

Katz in turn shared Israel’s position in the Gaza Strip and on the ICJ’s orders. Both ministers agreed to continue to communicate closely. 

On May 26, two days after the ICJ ordered Israel to end its military operations in Rafah, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 35 people in Rafah while dozens were trapped in flaming debris.