Japan pledges $10 mil. in humanitarian aid to Palestinians

TOKYO, Jan. 3 Kyodo -
Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso pledged Saturday to provide $10 million (about
900 million yen) in humanitarian aid to Palestinians amid concerns over rising
civilian casualties from Israeli airstrikes on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip,
Japanese officials said.
During a teleconference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Aso also
called on the Palestinian leader to work toward realizing an early cease-fire
between Israel and Hamas while promising that the Japanese government will
continue to work toward achieving peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.
''I am worried about the current situation. I urge that efforts be made toward
a cease-fire as soon as possible,'' Aso was quoted as telling Abbas.
Palestinian militants have been firing rockets from Gaza into Israel and have
stepped up their attacks since Israel began its airstrikes on Dec. 27, and many
civilians are believed to have been affected in the escalating violence.
Abbas expressed gratitude for the Japanese aid during a teleconference also
attended by Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura.
==Kyodo