Philippines urges return to ceasefire talks after Israeli attacks on Gaza

The Philippines on Friday urged parties in the Israel-Hamas conflict to immediately return to the negotiating table after Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza, killing more than 400 people.

According to a report by Reuters, the Israeli military described the attacks on Tuesday as a "preemptive offensive" aimed at thwarting Hamas' ability to launch attacks against Israel and to rebuild and rearm its forces.

Israel allegedly targeted "mid-ranking military commanders, leadership officials, and terrorist infrastructure" belonging to Hamas, the report said.

The attacks came weeks after failed efforts to agree on an extension to the ceasefire agreed on January 19.

''The Philippines is gravely concerned over Israel’s latest offensive in the Gaza Strip, which resulted in the tragic loss of more than 400 Palestinian lives, including over a hundred children, as well as more than 500 injured,'' the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

''We urge all sides to refrain from escalating the violence and to immediately return to negotiations toward a more permanent ceasefire. We call on all parties to adhere to their obligations under international law, with particular emphasis on the protection of civilians, and for the unconditional release of all hostages," it added.

Much of Gaza now lies in ruins after the war, which erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and abducting 251 hostages into Gaza. — VBL, GMA Integrated News