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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palestine asks PH to put pressure on Israel to respect humanitarian law in Gaza

Palestine asks PH to put pressure on Israel to respect humanitarian law in Gaza

Published Jul 6, 2025 02:13 pm
Palestinian Ambassador to the Philippines Mounir Y.K Anastas has asked the Philippines “to apply some pressure on Israel” to respect the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where thousands of people have been killed in the name of Israel’s war against militant group Hamas.

This photo, provided by an American contractor on condition of anonymity because they were revealing their employers' internal operations, shows a woman slumped over in a donkey cart after the contractor said she was hit in the head with part of a stun grenade at a food distribution site in Gaza run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in June 2025. (AP Photo)
This photo, provided by an American contractor on condition of anonymity because they were revealing their employers' internal operations, shows a woman slumped over in a donkey cart after the contractor said she was hit in the head with part of a stun grenade at a food distribution site in Gaza run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in June 2025. (AP Photo)
In a recent interview on GMA Intergrated News, the envoy noted how the Philippines can use its “good relations” with Israel in hopes of asking it to consider the humanitarian crisis in Gaza because of the war.

“What we hope that since he (President Marcos) has good relations, the Philippines has good relations with Israel, is to apply some pressure on Israel in order that Israel respects the humanitarian question in Gaza especially and in the West Bank as well,” he said.

“This is what we expect. It will be difficult. I know that. I hope it would be possible. Maybe if they can apply a little bit more pressure on Israel, it would be good,” he added.

Anastas thanked the President and the Philippine government for the several statements they released asking for a ceasefire in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to be given to the people there.

He also recognized how the Philippines has “a very balanced position” of signing United Nations-backed resolutions calling for a ceasefire and for Palestine’s right to self-determination.

The Philippines supports the two-state solution in resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

“I think it is a very balanced position because the Philippines always respects the humanitarian, the international humanitarian law,” the ambassador said.

“We are really thankful for the President and the government since they made several statements asking for ceasefire and for humanitarian aid to arriving to Gaza. So the Philippines is doing its best,” he stressed.

While he acknowledged the political ane commercial interests that the Philippines and Israel share, Anastas believed that “they are having a kind of a balanced relation with the two countries, with Palestine and with Israel.”

“And President Marcos is doing it very well. He is clear with us and with them that he has some interest with Israel and they have some commercial relations, they have some political relations,” he explained.

“This doesn't forbid him to respect his engagement and his commitment for humanitarian issues and for the international humanitarian law. So this is what is going on,” he furthered.

Israel’s latest attack on Gaza killed at least 78 people as negotiations for ceasefire begin in Doha, Qatar.

Families and supporters of Israeli captives also rallied in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, demanding for a deal that will bring their loves ones back home. They claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is blocking the deal for his own political gain.

At least 57,338 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's war on Gaza, which began in October 2023, while at least 135,957 others have been injured.

Related Tags

Palestine humanitarian crisis President Marcos Hamas Israel
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