China urges immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access in Gaza

China's envoy to the United Nations on Monday urged the full restoration of humanitarian access in Gaza, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said the region is "mired in severe turmoil," noting a recent Israeli attack on southern Lebanon shortly after reaching a fragile ceasefire with Iran.

"In Gaza, the humanitarian disaster is beyond words," Fu said. He said China "strongly condemned attacks on civilians and the weaponization of humanitarian aid".

Fu cited a UN report stating that "the militarized aid distribution mechanism promoted by the United States and Israel violates the principles of impartiality and neutrality, and has led to further danger for civilians".

"Searching for food must not become a death sentence," Fu said, calling on Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law, lift the blockade and ensure full access for humanitarian agencies.

"China firmly opposes the weaponization of humanitarian aid, strongly condemns attacks on civilians, and calls for a thorough investigation and accountability. Israel must fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law as an occupying power, immediately lift the blockade on Gaza, fully restore humanitarian access, and support and cooperate with humanitarian agencies including the United Nations," Fu said.

"We urge Israel to immediately cease all military operations in Gaza. Countries with significant influence on the parties involved should adopt a fair and responsible stance and take concrete actions to promote a ceasefire," he continued, adding that China "strongly opposes unilateral actions that violate international law."

Fu reiterated China's support for the two-state solution as the only viable path to resolving the Palestinian issue. "The tragedies endured by the Palestinian people shake the foundations of international fairness and challenge the conscience of humanity," the envoy said.

Fu said that China called for an early resumption of high-level meetings on the two-state solution.

"The Palestinian issue lies at the heart of the Middle East question. Implementing the two-state solution is the only viable path to resolving the Palestinian issue. The international community should strengthen solidarity and jointly provide support and guarantees for advancing the political process of the two-state solution," Fu said.

"We firmly oppose the forced displacement of Palestinians and reject dangerous attempts to annex Gaza and the West Bank. We look forward to the early resumption of a high-level meeting on implementing the two-state solution," he said.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday said he was concerned over the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a distribution mechanism promoted by the United States and Israel that operates outside the UN framework. He said the system is "inherently unsafe" and "it is killing people".

"People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families. The search for food must never be a death sentence," Guterres said. "It is time to find the political courage for a ceasefire in Gaza."

According to the United Nations, more than 400 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to access aid at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution sites.

minluzhang@chinadailyusa.com