Afghanistan calls for Israel to halt Gaza strikes

Afghanistan today called on Israel to halt its air strikes on the Gaza Strip, saying the killing of civilians was not a justified response to the actions of the Islamist group Hamas.

Afghanistan on Monday called on Israel to halt its air strikes on the Gaza Strip, saying the killing of civilians was not a justified response to the actions of the Islamist group Hamas.

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Israel launched its offensive on Saturday in response to a wave of rocket attacks by militants in the Palestinian territory. More than 300 people have been killed and more than 1,400 wounded, according to Gaza medics.

Afghanistan is following the "recent attacks by Israel on the innocent people of Palestine with great concern and strongly condemns these attacks," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The bombardment and killing of civilians cannot be justified with the policies of Hamas," it said.

"The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan wants an immediate halt to the attacks on the Gaza Strip and invites both sides to (show) tolerance."

Like many Islamic countries, Afghanistan does not recognise Israel.