Manila: The Philippine government has joined the international community in urgently calling for an end to the “ever-worsening humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza amid continuing conflict in the area.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressed deep concern over recent developments, highlighting the Israeli government’s planned full military takeover of Gaza, restrictions on access to crucial humanitarian aid such as food and water, large-scale displacement, attacks affecting civilians, and reports of settlement expansion in the West Bank. In a statement carried by the Philippine news agency (PNA) on Monday, the DFA emphasized that these developments worsen the already dire humanitarian situation and further reduce the chances for a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

The Philippines urged the Israeli entity to consider the ceasefire proposal as a crucial step towards protecting civilians and reviving the path to peace, according to the DFA statement. Last week, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also renewed his call for a ceasefire, warning that a full assault on Gaza City would lead to “massive death and destruction.”