ASEAN diplomats condemn Israeli assaults in Gaza, call for cease-fire
Top diplomats of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Saturday condemned Israel attacks in the Gaza Strip, which have led to the killing of more than 39,000 Palestinians since October.
In a joint communique of its summit in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, the foreign ministers of ASEAN also expressed “grave concern” on the humanitarian situation in the blockaded enclave.
“We condemned all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, which have resulted in the alarming number of casualties, particularly women and children, the restricted access to food, water, and other basic needs, leading to the further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” the declaration said.
They also urged all relevant parties for a cease-fire and release of hostages in Gaza.