Gaza: ASEAN, GCC Call For Ceasefire, Condemn Attacks Against Civilians
The leaders of the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have denounced attacks against civilians and called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The denunciation came during the GCC-ASEAN summit in Riyadh, the Capital of Saudi Arabia, as the leaders exchanged views and expressed grave concerns over the developments in the Middle East’s Gaza conflict.
The summit was co-chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Indonesian President Joko (Jokowi) Widodo in his capacity as the ASEAN Chair, in the presence of ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.
Also present were the leaders of the GCC and ASEAN member States, including Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The leaders urged a lasting ceasefire, calling on all concerned parties to pave the way for humanitarian aid, relief supplies, and other basic necessities and essential services.
They also appealed for the restoration of electricity and water, and called for the unhindered delivery of fuel, food and medicine throughout Gaza.
“We call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, refrain from targeting them and to abide by international humanitarian law, particularly the principles and provisions of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949,” said the statement.
The summit attendees agreed to support the initiatives of Saudi Arabia, the EU and the League of Arab States to revive the Middle East peace process in coordination with Egypt and Jordan, and resolve the dispute between Israel and its neighbours in accordance with international law and all UN resolutions on this conflict.
“We strongly condemn the acts of violence which have led to the deaths and injury of civilians, including ASEAN nationals.
We reaffirm our support for a negotiated two-state solution that will allow both Israelis and Palestinians to live side-by-side in peace and security consistent with relevant UNSC resolutions. This will be the only viable path to resolving the root cause of the conflict,” they said.
“We urge the international community to support the peace process in order to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region.”
At least 5,087 Palestinians been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7.
More than 2,000 children are among the 5,087 people killed in Gaza in Israeli attacks since October 7, according to the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave.
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