A joint statement by Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, calls for “an immediate and durable humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza, after days of diplomatic wrangling over the text.
“We condemn attacks against all civilians and civilian infrastructure, leading to further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza including restricted access to food, water, and other basic needs,” says the statement, released at the end of a three-day summit in Melbourne.
It also calls for the release of hostages.
Singapore had balked at an earlier suggestion that the statement condemn “the use of starvation” in the Gaza Strip, language that would have infuriated Israel.
Diplomats also argued over whether the statement should call for a total ceasefire — or a perhaps more temporary “humanitarian” pause.
ASEAN includes the Muslim-majority nations Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, while Australia is a strong backer of Israel, although it has previously called for a ceasefire and been critical of the level of casualties.
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Wednesday, March 6, 2024
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