Israeli Foreign Minister's Urgent Return Amid Gaza Strip Airstrikes

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Gabi Ashkenazi, Israel's Foreign Minister, who visited Korea on the 10th for talks with Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and other meetings, returned to Israel urgently on the 11th without completing his scheduled itinerary due to the tense situation in his country.

Choi Young-sam, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at the regular briefing that "Minister Ashkenazi had to return urgently today due to domestic circumstances and has asked for our understanding."

Minister Ashkenazi was scheduled to have a luncheon meeting with Minister Chung on the 12th. He called Minister Chung to explain the tense situation in Israel, including Hamas's rocket attacks on Israel and Israel's retaliatory airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, and asked for understanding regarding his unavoidable return.

In response, Minister Chung expressed understanding of the urgency of the situation in Israel and hoped that the confrontation with Palestine would be resolved peacefully.

The two ministers agreed to hold a telephone conference soon to replace the planned meeting.

Minister Ashkenazi also expressed regret at being unable to attend the foreign ministers' meeting and the signing ceremony of the Korea-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in person, and said he would seek another opportunity to visit Korea, according to spokesperson Choi Young-sang. Only Amir Peretz, Israel's Minister of Economy, who came to Korea with Minister Ashkenazi, will attend the signing ceremony.

Meanwhile, according to Israeli local media, Palestinian armed groups including Hamas fired about 150 rockets toward Israel from the Gaza Strip starting the evening of the 10th (local time). The Israeli military responded with airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, reportedly killing about 20 Palestinians.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.