MOSCOW, August 1 (RIA Novosti) - Japan is to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians and supply food and medication, Japan’s chief Cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference in Tokyo on Friday.
“We intend to provide food and medication, and help with water supplies together with UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees] and UNICEF [United Nations Children's Fund],” Suga said.
He also noted that the Japanese government welcomed the 72-hour ceasefire and expressed hope that it would be observed by all parties to avoid more casualties among civilians and that it could be extended even further.
Israel has accepted a proposal of the United States and the United Nations for a three-day humanitarian ceasefire beginning 8:00 a.m. (05:00 GMT) Friday.
US Secretary of State John Kerry announced late Thursday night that Israel and Palestinian National Authority had also agreed to start negotiations in Cairo over a long-term settlement of underlying disputes.
Israel launched a military operation on July 8 in response to the Palestinian attacks. On July 17, Israel switched to a ground assault after several days of air and naval attacks. In excess of 1,400 Palestinians and 60 Israelis have been killed since the start of the operation.