Japan has pledged humanitarian aid worth 10 million United States dollars to Gaza. Several countries have donated aid to Gaza in recent days. The aid has been transferred via Israeli crossings in the Negev.

According to the Bethlehem-based Maan news agency, Japanese Prime Minister Taru Aso has urged Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to cease airstrikes targeting Hamas institutions in Gaza in order to allow aid into the area. Olmert has rejected similar requests, saying aid can be transferred to Gaza despite the strikes.