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

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 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 expressed “unequivocal condemnation” of the 7 October terrorist attacks, and said the heavy civilian casualties and “humanitarian crisis” in Gaza were “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 mark the start of an “immediate and long-term ceasefire” in Gaza. They also emphasized 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 abide by 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 “urgently 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 ensure prompt, safe and uninterrupted humanitarian relief to civilians. We also encourage other countries, including in the Indo-Pacific, to increase their support to meet 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 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, which takes 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 for a two-State solution, including Israeli expansion of settlements and violent extremism on all sides, must be ended. We stress the need to prevent the escalation and spread of conflict 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.