During the GCC-ASEAN summit hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) emphatically underscored the pressing need for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Under the chairmanship of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, the summit saw a joint statement condemning attacks on civilians. In this statement, both entities called upon all relevant parties to facilitate the most effective and efficient access for humanitarian aid, relief supplies, basic necessities, and essential services in Gaza. They emphasized the importance of restoring access to electricity and water.
The statement further urged all parties involved in the conflict to protect civilians, refrain from targeting them, and adhere to international humanitarian law, notably the principles and provisions of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949.
The meeting convened for the immediate and unconditional release of civilian hostages and detainees, with special attention to women, children, the sick, and the elderly.
The leaders of the GCC and ASEAN jointly called upon all parties to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict and to realize the two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders, in accordance with international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Furthermore, the meeting expressed support for the initiative of Saudi Arabia, the European Union, and the League of Arab States to reinvigorate the Middle East peace process in collaboration with Egypt and Jordan. The aim of this initiative is to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian dispute in full compliance with international law and all UN resolutions pertaining to this ongoing conflict.
According to Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf Qudra, as of Friday, the ongoing Israeli bombardment in Gaza has resulted in the tragic loss of 4,137 lives, including 1,524 children and 1,000 women. The number of injured individuals has risen to 13,300, with over 1,000 others reported as missing.
