President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed support for Palestine’s “collective aspiration for enduring peace and prosperity,” as he joined the international community in observing the solidarity day with the Palestinians.

In his message for the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Marcos said the Philippines is “gravely concerned” with the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the increasing tensions in the Middle East.

“We urge all parties to refrain from escalating the violence and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” Marcos said.

“We condemn all attacks against civilians and civilian structures which have resulted in an alarming number of casualties, particularly women and children, and restricted access to food, water, medicine, and other basic needs,” he added.

Marcos said conflict can only be resolved through diplomatic engagement, dialogue and comprehensive negotiations rooted in international law.

He also emphasized the Philippines’ call for “rapid, safe, unimpeded, and sustained” humanitarian access to all those in need.

“Diplomacy remains the cornerstone of achieving lasting peace in the Middle East,” Marcos said.

“The Philippines extends its full support for all initiatives that are geared towards the revival of the peace process and the achievement of a lasting and just solution to the Middle East conflict.”

Marcos hoped that all concerned parties would work toward a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with a view to realizing the two-state solution.

The United Nations (UN) Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People held a special meeting on Tuesday to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which falls on Friday.

The occasion serves as an opportunity for the international community to focus its attention on the fact that the question of Palestine remains unresolved and that the Palestinian people are yet to attain their inalienable rights as defined by the General Assembly, particularly the right to self-determination, the right to national independence and sovereignty and the right to return.

In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People every Nov. 29.

On that day in 1947, the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine into two states, one Arab and one Jewish. (PNA)