By Saadet Gokce
ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan on Wednesday condemned Israel's expanded ground offensive in Gaza as “entirely unacceptable.”
The offensive "will further aggravate the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including famine," Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said in a statement.
"Japan views with a profound sense of urgency the ongoing Israeli actions, including the recent military operations, which could undermine the very foundation of a two-state solution," Iwaya said, urging Tel Aviv "once again" to immediately cease all "unilateral actions that run counter to the realization of a two-state solution," and to return to negotiations, alongside with relevant countries.
"We strongly urge Israel to immediately take concrete measures to immediately end the dire humanitarian crisis, including famine, and to comply with international law, including international humanitarian law," he said.
Iwaya expressed Tokyo's support for a two-state solution.
On Tuesday, Israel opened a new phase of its Gaza City offensive through a gradual ground push, an Israeli military official told Anadolu, as nearly 1 million Palestinians remain trapped in the city.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the army late Monday launched “the next stage” of Operation Gideon Chariots 2, aimed at deepening maneuvers inside the city after weeks of air and artillery strikes.
Since October 2023, the Israeli army has killed almost 65,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in Gaza. The assault has rendered the enclave uninhabitable and triggered widespread starvation and disease.