TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan on Thursday welcomed a cease-fire and hostage release deal reached between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, describing it as an "important step" toward tackling the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and restoring calm to the region.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the agreement should be implemented "steadily and sincerely," adding that Japan will make diplomatic efforts to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and promote long-term peace and stability in the Middle East.

"We have been calling for improvements to the humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip and the easing of tensions. The agreement is an important step toward the goal," Hayashi, the top government spokesman, said at a regular press conference.

The three-phase deal, announced by the United States and Qatar, is set to come into force Sunday. It aims to put an end to the conflict in Gaza, which started after Hamas launched an attack in Israel and took hostages in October 2023, prompting massive Israeli retaliation.

Hayashi said the Japanese government highly values the contributions of all parties involved in facilitating the deal, including the United States, Egypt and Qatar.

"We will actively engage in international efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, as well as its reconstruction and governance," while staying in close contact with relevant parties, Hayashi said.

The cease-fire deal came days before U.S. President Joe Biden is due to be replaced by Donald Trump early next week.

A senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said, "The role played by the United States was significant. We hope the situation in the Middle East will stabilize."