China To Distribute Aid To Gaza During A Ceasefire Period

Gaza/DOK UNRWA Refugees

JAKARTA - The Chinese government said it would distribute humanitarian aid as well as for the reconstruction of buildings to the Gaza Strip when the ceasefire is officially enforced.

"We support the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza and make efforts to restart postwar reconstruction," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference in Beijing, Thursday, January 16, as reported by ANTARA.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday (15/1). The deal consists of three phases that take effect on Sunday (19/1).

The ceasefire was announced by Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha, Wednesday (15/1), which is the fruit of more than a year of intensive negotiations with Egypt, Qatar, and the United States as mediators.

"China welcomes the deal and hopes that this deal can be implemented effectively and there will be a full and permanent ceasefire in Gaza," added Guo Jiakun.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza, Guo Jiakun revealed China has called for an early ceasefire and is working actively for deescalation, the protection of civilians, and humanitarian aid.

"We also really hope that the relevant parties will use the ceasefire in Gaza as an opportunity to further ease tensions in the region," said Guo Jiakun.

Guo Jiakun said China would cooperate with the international community to make continuous efforts for peace and stability in the Middle East.

The ceasefire deal includes three phases. In the first phase, the ceasefire will last for 42 days, namely the withdrawal of Israeli troops from all populated areas of Gaza, as well as the release of a number of detained hostages Hamas, including women, the elderly, and those injured.

US citizens are also on the list of hostages to be released. Israel is currently detaining more than 11,000 Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas is expected to detain 98 Israelis in Gaza.

In addition, Palestinians will be allowed to return to their environment throughout Gaza so humanitarian aid is urgently needed at that stage.

The second phase includes further exchanges between detainees for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, including the male army. All Israeli troops still in Gaza will be withdrawn during this phase, and the temporary ceasefire will become permanent.

The third phase, the latter, includes the return of the bodies of hostages killed in Gaza to their families, as well as the start of a "massive reconstruction plan for Gaza".

The ceasefire deal was reached on the 467th day after Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip.

Israel's aggression to the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023 and has killed 46,707 Palestinians and injured 110,265 others, mostly women and children.

In addition, more than 11,000 other people have not been found and are suspected of being buried under the rubble of a house destroyed by Israeli bombings in Gaza.

The widespread humanitarian crisis has claimed the lives of many Palestinians, both young and old, making it one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant in November for Israeli authority leader Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel is also facing genocide cases at the International Court (ICJ) for its war in the region.