Time to use UN General Assembly resolution to bring Israel-Palestine conflict to an end: China Daily editorial

When the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the Palestine-Israel conflict on Saturday, calling for an "immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities", many let out a sigh of relief, hoping it will end, even if temporarily, the deaths and sufferings of people in the Gaza Strip.

But that was not to be, for Israel intensified its attacks on Gaza and began its ground offensive into northern Gaza a couple of days later, with Hamas firing rockets into Israel at infrequent intervals. Before Israel intensified its assault, its permanent representative to the UN called the UN General Assembly resolution a "shame" and rejected it.

No matter how much Israel, with the overt support of the United States, tries to justify its military offensive on the pretext of "self-defense", it cannot deny that what the UN has called for in the resolution is in line with the interests of all parties. Also, its attempts to drive the Palestinian people away from northern Gaza and turn it into a buffer zone go against the two-state solution it has agreed to.

The UN resolution "rejects any attempts at the forced transfer of the Palestinian civilian population", reflecting the views of an overwhelming majority of countries. Israel should not ignore that fact.

The complexity of the Palestinian question means it cannot be resolved by pleasing one party at the cost of the other. The issue can be resolved only through dialogue and negotiations.

The Palestinian people have been under illegal occupation for too long, because the international community has overlooked their right to a separate state and live a life of dignity. All countries have the right to defend themselves. But that does not mean they can violate international law, international humanitarian law in particular. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

The pressing priority now is to fully implement the UN General Assembly resolution, stop the fighting, and prevent the situation from turning into a bigger humanitarian crisis.

As Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, both the Palestinian and Israeli sides should realize that the use of force has never brought lasting peace. Only by pursuing common security can we ensure long-term security, and only through political settlement can all parties' legitimate security concerns be addressed.

China has always stood on the side of fairness and justice, and condemns all actions that harm civilians and violate international law. China assumes the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for November on Wednesday, and it is committed to working with the international community to help end the Israel-Palestine conflict and ensure the safety of civilians, especially women and children.