China calls for permanent Gaza ceasefire, urges Israel to halt strikes on Lebanon and Syria

Reuters

China has renewed its call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and demanded that Israel cease its military operations in Lebanon and Syria, warning of escalating instability across the Middle East.

Speaking at the 9907th meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Fu Cong, highlighted the urgent need for peace as the Gaza conflict continues to devastate the region.

Fu condemned Israel’s actions, citing ongoing attacks, a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the continued expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank. “The Middle East is now deeply mired in turmoil,” he said, adding that Israel had “reignited the war in Gaza” with devastating consequences for civilians.

"Despite the international community's unanimous and strong call for a ceasefire and the end of the war in Gaza, peace remains elusive. Nineteen months have passed, over 52,000 people have lost their lives, and another 2 million in Gaza are at immediate risk of displacement," Fu stated.

The Chinese envoy accused Israel of violating basic norms of international law and humanitarian obligations, stressing that adherence to these principles is not negotiable. “We urge Israel to fulfill its international legal obligations in earnest and to observe the basic norms governing international relations,” he said, calling for a sustained ceasefire.

Fu also criticized Israel’s repeated strikes on Lebanon and Syria, describing them as violations of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. In addition, he condemned ongoing US airstrikes in Yemen, which, according to Houthi sources, have killed more than 225 civilians and injured over 430 since mid-March.

“The United States has been ramping up airstrikes against Yemen, in violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Fu said, urging Washington to cease its military actions in the region.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the Israeli military renewing its offensive on March 18, breaking a previously agreed ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. Since the start of the conflict in October 2023, more than 52,300 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed in Gaza.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its military operations in the enclave.

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