President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday called for dialogue and diplomacy to end the Israel-Hamas conflict as he expressed deep concern over the ongoing armed conflict.

“The Philippines is deeply concerned about the rising number of victims and the safety of all persons, as well as the dire humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Israel and in Gaza,” Marcos said during the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Gulf Cooperation Council (ASEAN – GCC) Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“We hope that all parties will exert their utmost efforts to deescalate the situation, stop all violence, and engage in dialogue and diplomacy,” he added.

Marcos also joined the ASEAN and GCC leaders in issuing a joint statement on the developments in Gaza, calling for the cessation of hostilities, provision of humanitarian aid, release of hostages and strengthening diplomatic efforts to attain enduring peace in the region.

After exchanging views and expressing grave concerns over the developments in the Middle East during the ASEAN-GCC Summit, the two regional groupings agreed to condemn all attacks against civilians and call for a lasting ceasefire.

They urged all concerned parties to protect and refrain from targeting civilians, as well as to abide by international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Convention.

They wanted to ensure the most effective and efficient access to humanitarian aid, relief supplies and other basic necessities and essential services.

The ASEAN and GCC stressed the need for the immediate and unconditional release of civilian hostages, especially women, children, the sick and the elderly.

They urged all concerned parties to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict to realize the two-State solution based on the pre-1967 borders in accordance with international law and the relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions.

The ASEAN and the GCC expressed support for the initiatives of Saudi Arabia, the European Union and the League of Arab States to revive the Middle East peace process in cooperation with Egypt and Jordan, and resolve the dispute between Israel and its neighbors in accordance with international law and all UN resolutions on this conflict.

The ASEAN-GCC Summit proper formally opened on Friday afternoon (Philippine time) in Riyadh. (PNA)

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