Japan hails Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal as key step toward stability

Japan on Thursday welcomed a cease-fire and hostage release deal reached between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, describing it as an "important step" toward tackling the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and restoring calm to the region.Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the agreement should be implemented "steadily and sincerely," adding that Japan will make diplomatic efforts to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and promote long-term peace and stability in the Middle East."We have been calling for improvements to the humanitarian conditions in the Gaza S…READ FULL ARTICLE