Leaders from Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern countries are set to discuss the ongoing conflict between the Israeli government and Hamas militants at their first-ever summit this week. The ASEAN-GCC Summit, scheduled for October 20, will address regional and international issues, including the developments in the Middle East, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, namely Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, will participate in the summit. Notably, these countries are not directly involved in the war between Israel and Hamas. As a result, the discussions at the summit will likely focus on generalities surrounding the conflict.
Countries like the UAE and Bahrain, which have established diplomatic relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, have recently condemned Hamas’ attacks. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman have expressed concern over the conflict’s impact on civilian lives and have attributed blame to Israel for its alleged violation of Palestinians’ rights.
The summit provides a platform for leaders from Southeast Asia and the Middle East to engage in dialogue and contribute to the ongoing discussions on the Israeli-Hamas conflict. By addressing regional and international issues, the summit aims to foster better understanding and cooperation among participating nations.
