By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
South Korea will provide $300,000 in emergency humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip suffering from Israeli attacks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Monday.
The Seoul government called for an immediate truce between Israel and Hamas.
``The government expresses deep concern that the armed conflict in the Gaza Strip and nearby areas is expanding, leading to many casualties including civilians,'' ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young said in a briefing. ``The government urges the related parties to immediately halt the use of force and respond to the international community's call for a truce.''
Moon said South Korea will join global efforts to help the Palestinian people by donating $300,000 in cash.
More than 500 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing Israeli operation aimed at ending rocket attacks by Hamas fighters, according to reports.
The ministry expressed concern over the conflict in a statement issued Dec. 29, shortly after Israel launched its attack.
But Seoul had since kept mum on the matter, apparently due to the sensitivity of the issue, as it tries to balance its alliance with Washington, a key ally of Israel, and push for improved ties with Arab nations.