Japan expresses regret at Israel's attack on Gaza

YAMAGUCHI, Japan, Dec. 28 Kyodo -
The top Japanese government spokesman expressed regret Sunday at the latest
armed conflict between Israel and the Palestinians resulting in the deaths of
hundreds of Palestinians.
''It is extremely regrettable that an armed conflict has taken place soon after
the expiration of the cease-fire,'' Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said
in a press conference in Yamaguchi, western Japan.
''Many people have been killed and (the situation) is grave,'' he added.
According to Reuters, at least 229 people were killed and more than 700 others
were injured in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israel's air strikes Saturday on
the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory.
==Kyodo