Japan welcomes Israel cease-fire in Gaza, urges Hamas to halt attacks

TOKYO, Jan. 18 Kyodo -
The Japanese government welcomed Israel's unilateral cease-fire in the Gaza
Strip on Sunday and urged Hamas militants to respond promptly by stopping their
attacks on Israel.
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said in a statement that Japan sees Israel's
cease-fire declaration as ''a positive step for preventing a further increase
in civilian casualties and realizing a permanent cease-fire.''
''Japan strongly urges Palestinian militants including Hamas to immediately and
positively respond to this move and to halt their attack without delay,''
Nakasone added.
Israel stopped its Gaza offensive early Sunday, warning military operations
would be resumed if Hamas militants continue their attacks. Israel launched air
raids against Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Dec. 27 and ground troops moved in a
week later.
==Kyodo