China has expressed concern over the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas and has announced its decision to send humanitarian aid to the affected region. Zhang Jun, Beijing’s permanent representative to the United Nations, made this announcement following the failure of the UN Security Council to adopt a Russian-proposed resolution on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Zhang emphasized the need for an immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East to prevent the situation from worsening and spreading.
In his statement, Zhang stressed the importance of countries adopting an objective and fair position to avoid large-scale conflict and humanitarian disasters. He warned against actions that could disrupt regional and international security further. Zhang specifically raised concerns about Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which has been in place for over a week. The blockade was imposed after Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel. Israeli authorities have refused to restore the provision of essential resources like fuel, water, and electricity to Gaza until all hostages captured by the militants are released.
China expressed serious concern about the consequences of Israel’s complete blockade of Gaza and called on Israel to cease its collective punishment of the population. Zhang urged the opening of humanitarian corridors to ensure the timely delivery of water, medicine, and other necessary supplies to the people in need. In response, China pledged to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Gaza through the United Nations and bilateral channels.
Zhang emphasized that humanitarian issues should not be politicized and called for the respect of international humanitarian law. He stressed the importance of safeguarding the safety of the civilian population. China’s concern for the well-being of the people in Gaza adds to the growing international calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and the protection of innocent lives.
However, Israel’s ambassador to London, Tzipi Hotovely, denied claims of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She accused Hamas of abusing humanitarian aid and diverting funds to produce rockets instead of prioritizing the welfare of its people. Hotovely argued that Hamas must face consequences for its attacks on Israel and urged for fairness in assessing the situation.
Despite this denial, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency described the situation in Gaza as an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. The region is said to be running out of resources, endangering the lives of its inhabitants. The conflict has already resulted in a high death toll, with approximately 1,400 deaths reported in Israel and over 2,800 fatalities in Gaza, according to local authorities and Palestinian officials.
As the violence continues unabated, it is crucial for the international community to work towards a peaceful resolution and prioritize the protection of innocent lives. China’s decision to send humanitarian aid highlights the urgency of the situation and the global concern for the well-being of the affected population in Gaza. It is hoped that the provision of aid will alleviate the suffering and contribute to efforts for a lasting peace in the region.
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