Japan sets to provide assistance to Palestinians
Japan's foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa on Thursday announced her intention to hold meetings with Palestinian officials while visiting Israel and Jordan to convey Japan's willingness to offer assistance to the Palestinian people.
According to a report from Reuters, Minister Kamikawa's two-day trip, commencing on Friday, will also include a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. This visit comes amid an escalating crisis in Gaza following an Israeli strike on the Jabalia refugee camp and the evacuation of foreign nationals, including Japanese citizens.
"I hope to discuss how to respond to the grave humanitarian situation in the Gaza region as well as directly communicate Japan's readiness to continue providing aid," Kamikawa said of her meeting with her Palestinian counterparts.
However, she did not specify who she would meet from the Palestinian side.
Speaking to reporters before her departure, she acknowledged the Israeli strike on the Jabalia refugee camp and that many civilians had been killed in the attack.
"I understand the Israeli military has said the strike targeted Hamas operatives and relevant infrastructure," she said. She did not comment further.
Yoko Kamikawa reported that all 10 Japanese citizens, along with their eight Palestinian family members, who wanted to depart from Gaza, have successfully relocated to Egypt. She also mentioned that these evacuees are in good health.
Furthermore, she conveyed that Japan would maintain contact with one Japanese national who resides in Gaza and has expressed the desire to remain there, choosing not to evacuate.
