PH ‘gravely concerned’ over tensions in Middle East

Manila: The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on Friday called for restraint amid the increased tension in the Middle East and the start of “limited” Israeli ground operations in southern Lebanon.

‘The Philippines expresses grave concern over the increasing tensions in the Middle East region marked by Israeli ground operations in Lebanon,’ Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said in a statement.

‘We urge all parties to refrain from escalating the violence and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict,’ she added.

The Philippines, she said, underscores the need to ‘adhere to international humanitarian law, especially the principles of proportionality and distinction in response to security threats, and to ensure the protection of civilians at all times’.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began its ‘limited, localized, and targeted ground raids’ against Hezbollah targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

As of Wednesday, the IDF sai
d it has destroyed more than 150 Hezbollah infrastructure sites in air strikes, including the latter’s headquarters and weapon storage facilities.

Shortly after the IDF announcement, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) warned that any Israeli crossing into Lebanon would be ‘in violation of Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity” as well as the 2006 UN Security Resolution 1701, which seeks to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

In a separate statement bearing a similar message, the DFA expressed concern over Iran’s barrage of missiles targeting Israel this week.

Iran fired more than 100 missiles into Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for the latter’s strike against Hezbollah.

In the West Bank, one Palestinian was reportedly killed while two Israelis were injured by falling shrapnel and debris.

After the missile launches, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tehran ‘made a big mistake’ and that ‘it will pay for it.’

Source: Philippines News Agency