President Bola Tinubu government Nigeria has called for a de-escalation of the latest crisis between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militant group.

In a statement signed by Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, the federal government called on both sides to exercise restraint and prioritise the safety of civilians.

In the early hours of Saturday, the Hamas militant group infiltrated Israel from the Gaza strip, in what has been described as an unprecedented attack.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, has since called the invasion an act of war.

The Israeli death toll from the crisis has surpassed 100, per latest reports, with more than 200 killed in Israeli reprisal attacks in Gaza.

“The federal government of Nigeria is deeply concerned about the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the early hours of Saturday, 7th October, 2023 and calls for de-escalation and ceasefire,” the statement reads.

“The cycle of violence and retaliation that the current escalation has assumed, only serves to perpetuate an unending cycle of pain and suffering for the civilian population that bear the brunt of every conflict.

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