The Philippines has called for restraint in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and apply proportionality as regional tension that only stemmed from the Israel-Hamas war is now looming.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday, Oct. 4, that the Philippines is gravely concerned over the increasing tension in the Middle East, which is “marked by Israeli ground operations in Lebanon.”
Early this week, Israel started what it called a "limited ground operation" in Lebanon following the killing of Lebanon-based Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike.
Hassan's killing triggered a retaliation from the groups' ally, Iran, which fired at least 180 ballistic missiles towards Israel on Tuesday night (local time).
These developed as sympathizers of Palestine-based Hamas, including Yemen-based Houthis and Hezbollah, also started attacking Israel due to Tel Aviv's continued bombardment on Gaza.
The Philippines urged all parties in the conflict to refrain from escalating the violence and work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
“We emphasize 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,” DFA said.
Meanwhile, DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, in a Palace briefing, said that plans are already in place in various countries that might be affected by the ongoing conflict, including Lebanon.
"Our embassy, in coordination with all our other attaches, and DFA and of course, the DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) already are working very hard to institute their plan and trying to get arrangements ready for the Filipinos in the area, in case they have to evacuate or be repatriated," Manalo said.