The Philippines has expressed “grave concern” over Israel’s newest offensive in the Gaza Strip that left more than 400 Palestinians dead, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
Displaced Palestinians, carrying their belongings travel from Beit Hanoun to Jamiya, a day after Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
In a statement on Friday, March 21, the DFA urged all parties to return to the negotiating table toward a more “permanent ceasefire”.
“The Philippines is gravely concerned over Israel’s latest offensive in the Gaza Strip, which resulted in the tragic loss of more than 400 Palestinian lives, including over a hundred children, as well as more than 500 injured,” the DFA said.
“We urge all sides to refrain from escalating the violence and to immediately return to negotiations toward a more permanent ceasefire,” it added.
The ground offensive this week is part of Israel’s renewed assault on the territory, shattering a two-month ceasefire with the Hamas militant group.
The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said that more than 200 Palestinian children were killed in the latest attacks by Israel.
The DFA once more called on parties to follow the international law, protect all civilians, and release the hostages.
“We call on all parties to adhere to their obligations under international law, with particular emphasis on the protection of civilians, and for the unconditional release of all hostages,” the statement read.
Since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas in Israel, the Israel Defense Forces’s retaliation in Gaza killed nearly 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and claimed large swaths of Palestinian territories.
Israel claims that its offense on Gaza is aimed at pressuring Hamas to release more hostages, some of whom have already been released to Israel as part of the ceasefire deals in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.