China Disappointed, UN DK Resolution On Gaza Not Fulfilling World Citizens' Expectations
JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said UN Security Council (DK) Resolution No. 2720 on humanitarian aid to Gaza did not meet the expectations of world citizens.
"The resolution does not meet international expectations and there is a gap that needs to be improved. However, given the urgent situation on the ground and the position of Palestine and other Arab countries, China chose to support the resolution," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning when delivering a statement to the media in Beijing, China on Monday 25 December as reported by Antara.
The resolution requires parties in conflict to allow and open all routes to and throughout the Gaza Strip, including border gates, to ensure humanitarian staff and aid are distributed to civilians in need.
The resolution proposed by the United Arab Emirates was reached after tough negotiations and several delays with 13 votes in favor, 0 rejected, while the United States and Russia -- two permanent members of the UN DK -- voted abstained.
"The latest babak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has killed and injured tens of thousands of innocent civilians and the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. We hope this resolution will be implemented effectively, more humanitarian aid will reach Gaza as soon as possible and a monitoring mechanism will be established," said Mao Ning.
Even so, Mao Ning said the ceasefire remained a priority and an absolute prerequisite in every way.
"China will continue to work closely with all parties to improve coordination and raise more effective action at the UN DK to make relentless efforts to stop the conflict in Gaza, implement two-state solutions as well as peace and stability in Gaza," said Mao Ning.
The 2720 resousion contains the insistence on measures to enable safe, unobstructed, and extended humanitarian access to Gaza and conditions to stop the ongoing fighting'.
The resolution was softer than the previous draft calling for an immediate end to the 11-week war and weakening Israel's control over aid deliveries, thus paving the way for a vote in which the US abstained.
The resolution asks UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint a senior humanitarian coordinator to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. The coordinator then immediately formed a UN mechanism to accelerate the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The resolution also emphasizes the importance of close and unobstructed cooperation between parties in conflict and the coordinator who has been appointed to carry out his mandate as soon as possible.
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There is still a request to release all hostages "as quickly and unconditionally", and calls on all parties to comply with international law and avoid all attacks on civilians and civilian objects.
The resolution also requires all parties to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel, and emphasizes that humanitarian staff must be protected.
The Security Council asked the Secretary General of the United Nations to report in writing the implementation of the resolution to the UN DK within five working days.
It is known that the death toll was 20,258 during the 11-week conflict, while thousands of other bodies are believed to be trapped under the rubble.
Nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million population have fled.
Israel on Saturday (23/12) said 146 of its troops had been killed since it launched a ground offensive on October 20 in response to the ruling Hamas militant attack in Gaza on October 7, which killed 1,200 people and held 240 people hostage.