ASEAN Defense Ministers call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called during a regional summit hosted by Indonesia on Wednesday  for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Reuters quoted Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto as saying at the opening of the two-day annual meeting of the Asian bloc’s defense ministers “His country is deeply saddened by the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, especially the horrific humanitarian situation”.

He stressed  that “Indonesia’s stand  is clear and firm.  We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the opening of immediate crossings  for humanitarian aid.”

During his meeting on Tuesday with US President Joe Biden , Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for an end to the atrocities committed by the Israeli entity in the Gaza Strip and to reach a ceasefire.

Despite global popular and official protests, the brutal Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip has continued since the seventh of last month, which has led to the death and injury of tens of thousands of people and the destruction of facilities, infrastructure and property.

Rawaa Ghanam