Japan urges Israelis, Palestinians to halt use of force

TOKYO, Dec. 28 Kyodo -
(EDS: UPDATING, CHANGING DATELINE)
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone on Sunday urged the Israelis and
Palestinians to immediately halt the use of force, expressing deep concern
about the deteriorating situation that has caused hundreds of deaths.
Nakasone also expressed concern in a statement about the possible impact of the
latest violence on Middle East peace efforts revived through a U.S.-sponsored
conference in Annapolis, Maryland, in November 2007.
''Japan strongly urges Israel and (the Palestinian militant group) Hamas to
restore the agreed cessation of violence,'' he said in the statement.
Israel launched airstrikes on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Saturday and
Sunday, while Hamas fired rockets against Israel from Gaza.
In the statement, Japan expressed appreciation for the mediation efforts of
Egypt and hope that the international community will cooperate to prevent an
escalation of the violence.
Earlier on Sunday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura told reporters, ''It
is extremely regrettable that an armed conflict has taken place soon after the
expiration of the cease-fire.''
''Many people have been killed and (the situation) is grave,'' he said in
Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan.
==Kyodo