The federal government of Nigeria has called for de-escalation of hostilities in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

In a statement issued Saturday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf M. Tuggar, the government said it was deeply concerned about the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the early hours of the day.

Worried that the cycle of violence and retaliation that the current escalation has assumed only “served to perpetuate an unending cycle of pain and suffering for the civilian population, it consequently called for ceasefire in the interest of the vulnerable civilians.

The government also called for restraint and the need to prioritise the safety of civilians by giving room for humanitarian considerations.

“We are therefore calling for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue”, the Minister urged.

It was reported that at least 200 Israelis have been killed and 232 dead in Gaza following the attack launched by the Palestinian militant group, Hamas.

The group was said to have launched a surprise large-scale attack against Israel on Saturday, firing thousands of rockets from Gaza and sending fighters to either kill or abduct people.

“Israel retaliated with devastating air strikes. At least 70 people were reported killed in Israel, while Gaza authorities released a death toll of 232 in the conflict’s bloodiest escalation in years which also left hundreds wounded on both sides”, the report said.