ISTANBUL

Malaysia and Brunei on Wednesday urged the international community to stop the "cycle of impunity" in Gaza.

In a joint statement, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah urged the international community to act decisively to end the cycle of impunity, including ensuring respect for international law, upholding its responsibility to protect Palestinian rights, and ensuring immediate and unhindered humanitarian access.

The statement was issued following their meeting at the 26th Annual Leaders’ Consultation in Putrajaya, Malaysia's administrative capital.

Anwar and Bolkiah reiterated "the urgent call for a permanent ceasefire and to address the root causes with a view to ending the decades-long occupation and aggression by the Occupying Power."

Both leaders also welcomed "the increased global support to recognize the State of Palestine, without preconditions."

Southeast Asian state heads also discussed maritime-related matters, security challenges, and cooperation on energy, trade, and tourism.

Israel has killed nearly 63,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, in response to an Oct. 7, 2023, attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, that killed nearly 1,200 Israelis and led to around 250 hostages being taken, according to officials. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.