Marcos calls for adherence to international law amid Israeli strikes in Gaza

KUALA LUMPUR - The Philippines on Tuesday urged all concerned parties to adhere to international law as it expressed concern about Israel's attacks in the Gaza Strip.

''The Philippines is gravely concerned over Israel's ongoing military operations across the Gaza Strip, which have resulted in the continued rise of the death of civilians, including women and children, and further exacerbating the dire humanitarian situation on the ground,'' President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said during the 2nd ASEAN – Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit.

''The Philippines calls upon all parties to adhere to their obligations under international law, with particular emphasis on the protection of civilians, especially women and children, and the facilitation of humanitarian assistance to all those who are in need,'' he added.

Israeli strikes killed at least 45 people on Monday, local health authorities said.

Israel has faced a mounting international outcry this month, including from Western allies, as it launched a new offensive in Gaza, already largely destroyed by Israeli bombardment and where the population of 2 million is at risk of famine.

Close ally Germany said Israel's recent attacks in Gaza were inflicting a toll on civilians that could no longer be justified as a fight against Hamas, which ignited the war with its cross-border October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Israeli authorities last week allowed a trickle of aid into the Palestinian enclave for the first time since March. But the few hundred trucks carried a tiny fraction of the food needed. — with a report from Reuters/VBL, GMA Integrated News