Foreign Minister Retno: ASEAN Must Continue To Encourage The Implementation Of UN DK Resolution On Ceasefire In Gaza

The 57th AMM Retreat Meeting in Laos. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs RI)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Thursday stressed that ASEAN must continue to encourage the implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolution on the ceasefire in Gaza.

Speaking at the 7th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) of ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Vientiane, Laos, Foreign Minister Retno encouraged ASEAN to unite in voicing the cessation of genocide and a permanent ceasefire in Palestine.

"ASEAN must continue to encourage the implementation of Resolution 2735. ASEAN is also important to support the Legal Fatwa (Advisory Opinion) from the International Court," he said.

"As an organization based on rules (rules-based) and where member states are committed to respecting International Law, it is important for ASEAN to voice the importance of respecting international law consistently, without exception, including for Palestine," said Foreign Minister Retno.

It is known that the UN Security Council 2735 resolution agreed last month was a three-phase ceasefire proposal proposed by United States President Joe Biden.

A total of 14 UN DK members voted for a resolution in favor of a three-phase ceasefire plan set by President Biden on May 31. Meanwhile, Russia chose abstain from the vote.

The resolution welcomes a new ceasefire proposal, states Israel has accepted it, asks Hamas to agree to it, and "encourages both parties to fully implement its provisions without delay and unconditionally."

The resolution also detailed the proposal and explained that "if negotiations last longer than six weeks for the first phase, the ceasefire will continue as long as negotiations continue."

Hamas welcomed the US-designed implementation of the resolution, saying in a statement they were ready to cooperate with mediators in implementing the principles of the plan "which are consistent with the demands of the people and our resistance."

Separately, medical sources in Gaza on Wednesday said at least 55 people were killed and 110 others injured in Israeli attacks that occurred in the past 24 hours, quoted from WAFA.

That brings the death toll of Palestinians as a result of Israel's deadly aggression into the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, now surging to 39,145, while at least 90,257 others have been injured.