Morocco strongly condemns Israel's military operation in Gaza

Morocco on Thursday expressed its deep concern and strong condemnation regarding Israel's ongoing large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip, urging for "an immediate halt to these raids." Morocco "considers that this dangerous escalation is unacceptable and that the continuation of these attacks could have disastrous consequences on the security and stability of the region," according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement. "As a result, Morocco calls for an immediate halt to these raids and urges the international community to take its responsibility to protect the lives of the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip and their property," the statement added. The violence flared up after the Israeli army announced Wednesday the start of a large-scale military operation in Gaza, dubbed "Operation Pillar of Defense" and following the death of Ahmed al-Jaabari, the head of Hamas' military wing, on Wednesday afternoon in an Israeli air raid. Meanwhile, at least another six were also killed in a string of Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday. On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip continued, while the attacks was responded by Palestinian militant groups, which kept firing barrages of rockets out of Gaza, targeting southern Israel communities, where Israeli media reported a number of casualties in the morning.