Philippines' DFA says Gaza offensive dims hopes for peace in Middle East

THE PHILIPPINES on Monday said Israel’s military offensive in Gaza City could further derail efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.

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In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Jerusalem’s planned military takeover of Gaza and its continued blockade of humanitarian aid threaten to worsen the “humanitarian catastrophe” and undermine regional stability.

“These developments aggravate an already dire humanitarian situation and further diminish prospects for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East,” the agency said.

It added that the Philippines “joins the international community in its urgent call for an end to the ever-worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza,” citing Israel’s alleged restrictions on food and water, large-scale displacement and civilian casualties in Gaza and reports of settlement expansion in the West Bank.

The Embassy of Israel in Manila declined to comment.

In a Facebook post at the weekend, the embassy said claims of famine in Gaza are “politically motivated and false,” noting that Israel facilitates massive humanitarian aid every single day, while Hamas exploits it for its own purposes.