June 27, 2024
UNITED NATIONS – Despite a United Nations Security Council cease-fire resolution, there have been continuous attacks on Gaza, said China’s ambassador to the UN, urging Israel to heed international calls for an immediate cease-fire.
The Security Council in June adopted a resolution endorsing a three-phase cease-fire deal proposed by the United States. The US said that Israel had already accepted the cease-fire proposal.
“Unfortunately, to date, we have not seen concrete signs from Israel indicating an agreement to achieve a lasting cease-fire,” said Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the UN.
Instead, Israel continued its large-scale military operations, attacking multiple refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, he said. The attacks have caused major casualties and put in danger humanitarian organizations such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the International Committee of the Red Cross, he said.
“An immediate cease-fire must be implemented, and once achieved, there must be no restart of the war,” Fu emphasized. “China urges Israel to listen to the international community, stop military actions in Gaza, and end the collective punishment of Gaza’s population. We call on influential countries to take a just stance and sincerely work to promote a cease-fire and end the conflict,” he said.
The US blamed Hamas for stalling the cease-fire resolution, saying that Hamas ignored voices from the international community.
“Hamas has eschewed the calls from this council and ignored voices from across the international community. In fact, rather than accept the deal, Hamas has added even more conditions,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US permanent representative to the UN.
The UN this month told Israel that it will suspend aid operations across Gaza unless urgent steps are taken to protect humanitarian workers, The Associated Press reported. In April, Israel’s military strikes killed seven workers of the World Central Kitchen. The UN World Food Program has suspended aid delivery from a US-built pier in Gaza due to security concerns.
People take part in a demonstration in demand of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a deal for the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas and call for an election, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 22, 2024. PHOTO: XINHUA/CHINA DAILY
People take part in a demonstration in demand of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a deal for the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas and call for an election, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 22, 2024. PHOTO: XINHUA/CHINA DAILY
A UN report released on Tuesday said that Gaza is facing “a high and sustained risk of famine”. It said 96 percent of the population in Gaza, or about 2.15 million people, face acute food insecurity at “crisis” levels or higher. Almost half a million people are enduring “catastrophic” conditions, the report said.
Fu also voiced his concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He said that Israel’s military actions threaten humanitarian workers and called its accusations of inaction by the agencies “unacceptable”.
He called on Israel to protect humanitarian workers and ensure that sufficient supplies enter Gaza swiftly and are delivered safely to those in need.
With regard to the situation in the West Bank, Fu noted that searches, arrests and attacks against Palestinians by Israeli law enforcement agencies occur daily. He called on Israel to curb violence against Palestinian civilians, stop undermining the Palestinian National Authority, and return seized taxes promptly.
“China reiterates that settlement activities violate international law and Security Council Resolution 2334, eroding the prospects of a two-state solution. Israel should immediately stop all settlement activities,” he said.
China is deeply concerned about reports of Israel preparing a military attack on Lebanon, Fu said, recalling the statement of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “The situation in the Middle East is very precarious, and the world cannot afford for Lebanon to become another Gaza,” he said.
Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire across the Lebanon-Israel border since the beginning of Gaza conflict. Tensions have been heightened on both sides over the last several weeks. Last week, Israel’s military said it had “approved and validated” plans for an offensive in Lebanon.