ASEAN has called for an immediate cessation of violence in the Israel-Hamas crisis.
In a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of its 10 member countries, ASEAN strongly condemned the acts of violence in the region, which have resulted in the loss of life and injuries to civilians, including Filipino and Thai nationals.
The organization urged an immediate end to violence to prevent further human casualties and emphasized the importance of respecting International Humanitarian Law. They also called on all parties to facilitate safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian corridors.
Furthermore, ASEAN reaffirmed its support for a negotiated two-state solution, allowing Israelis and Palestinians to coexist in peace and security in line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
They stressed that this remains the most viable path to address the root causes of the conflict.
The organization also called on the international community to support the peace process to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region.
This statement comes amid a two-week-long escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict, resulting in the loss of thousands of civilian lives, including children, medical personnel, and journalists. (ai/mnm)