TOKYO: Japan “unequivocally condemned” the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel but said on Monday it was “gravely concerned” by the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip one year on.

“Japan has consistently and unequivocally condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and others, and urge the immediate release of all hostages still being held captive,” Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi said.

“At the same time, Japan is gravely concerned about the ongoing critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip,” Iwaya said, pointing to the “large number of civilians” killed and the insecurity facing both Israelis and Palestinians.

“Japan continues to urge all the parties including Israel, to comply with international law, including international humanitarian law, and strongly urges them to steadily work toward realisation of a ceasefire,” Iwaya said in a statement.

“Japan is seriously concerned about the rising tensions beyond Israel and the Gaza Strip throughout the Middle East region, including the West Bank, Lebanon, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and Iran,” he said.

AFP