Jakarta, Indonesia: Southeast Asian defense ministers called for an end to the Myanmar crisis and to the Israel-Hamas war during a meeting in Jakarta.
The main topics of discussion during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting included the Myanmar crisis, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.
Indonesia’s president Mr. Joko Widodo called on US President Mr. Joe Biden this week to help bring about a ceasefire in Gaza.
Indonesia’s Defense Minister Mr. Prabowo Subianto began negotiations by expressing his “deep sadness” by events in the Palestinian territory, where Israel has launched a relentless assault to destroy Hamas in response to attacks on October 7.
Malaysian Defense Minister Mr. Mohamad Hasan also called for a truce, saying Kuala Lumpur condemned “terrorism in all its forms” and the killing of civilians.
“Further loss of life, suffering, and destruction should stop and parties must exercise utmost restraint and de-escalate,” Mr. Hasan stated.
The early October attacks by Hamas on Israel resulted in an estimated 1,200 deaths, the majority of which were civilians, and an estimated 240 hostages being carried into Gaza.
The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza noted that Israel’s ensuing aerial bombardment and ground offensive have killed 11,320 people, mostly civilians, including thousands of children.
In a joint declaration, the ASEAN defense chiefs also called on all parties in Myanmar, where fighting has been continuing for weeks across the northern Shan state, “to cease all violence and exercise utmost restraint.”
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