Quad leaders express deep concern over the “flaring war” in Ukraine and the “humanitarian crisis” in Gaza

The Quad countries expressed deep concern over the “escalating war” in Ukraine and the “humanitarian crisis” in Gaza, as well as reaffirmed support for adherence to international law and respect for the principles of the UN Charter, including territorial integrity, sovereignty of all states, and peaceful resolution of disputes.

Expressing “deep concern” over the war in Ukraine, the four countries underlined the importance of upholding international law and acting in accordance with the UN Charter.

“We express our deep concern about the ongoing war in Ukraine and its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences,” the declaration said.

he/she reiterated that “all States must refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity, sovereignty or political independence of any State.”

The four countries also noted the negative implications of the war in Ukraine with regard to global food and energy security, especially for developing and least developed countries. “In the context of this war, we agree with the view that the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is unacceptable.”

The Quad nations said they have a deep interest in achieving peace and stability in West Asia.

he/she expressed “unequivocal condemnation” of the 7 October terrorist attacks, adding that the massive loss of civilian lives and “humanitarian crisis” in Gaza was “unacceptable”.

They reaffirmed the imperative to secure the release of all those held hostage by Hamas, and stressed that an agreement to release the hostages would lead to an “immediate and long-term ceasefire” in Gaza. They also stressed the urgent need to significantly increase the supply of life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza, as well as the critical need to prevent regional escalation.

“We urge all parties to comply with international law, including international humanitarian law,” the joint statement said.

Welcoming the UN Security Council resolution, the Quad nations urged all concerned parties to work “immediately and relentlessly” towards the release of all hostages and an immediate ceasefire.

“We call on all parties to take all possible steps to protect the lives of civilians, including aid workers, and to ensure rapid, safe and uninterrupted humanitarian relief to civilians. We also encourage other countries, including in the Indo-Pacific, to increase their support to meet the critical humanitarian needs on the ground. We emphasize that Gaza’s future recovery and reconstruction must be supported by the international community,” the statement said.

The Quad leaders expressed their commitment to a two-state solution that ensures a sovereign, viable and independent Palestinian state, while also taking into account Israel’s “legitimate security concerns”.

Stressing the need to prevent the conflict from escalating, he/she also spoke out against Israel’s expansion of settlements and “violent extremism on all sides”.

The joint statement said, “We remain committed to a sovereign, viable and independent Palestinian State, taking into account Israel’s legitimate security concerns, as part of a two-State solution that enables both Israelis and Palestinians to live in a just, lasting and secure peace. Any unilateral action that undermines the prospects of a two-State solution, including Israel’s expansion of settlements and violent extremism on all sides, must be ended. We stress the need to prevent the conflict from escalating and spreading in the region.”

President Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday (local time). The sixth edition of the Quad Leaders Summit is a ‘farewell’ summit for both US President Joe Biden and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida before they step down from their respective offices.

The Quad is a diplomatic partnership between four countries—Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. US President Joe Biden is the host of the fourth individual and sixth overall Quad Leaders’ Summit in Delaware.