Ceasefire Agreed, China: Palestine Must Defend Palestine

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - The Chinese government is still emphasizing "two-state solutions" regarding the ceasefire that began in Gaza.

"China upholds the principle of 'Palestinian rule Palestine' and encourages the implementation of a two-state solution," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference in Beijing on Thursday, October 9.

Earlier on Wednesday (8/10) US President Donald Trump announced the Palestinian Hamas and Israeli struggle group had signed the first phase of the US-proposed Gaza deal.

Through his Truth Social platform, Trump said this entire hostage will soon be released and Israel will draw their troops to the line that has been agreed as the first step towards a strong, eternal and lasting peace.

The hostages' release was included in the 20-point plan first announced on September 29 covering the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, ceasefires, Hamas ceasefire, and Gaza's rebuilding.

"China hopes that the full and permanent ceasefire in Gaza can be realized as soon as possible, the humanitarian crisis can be eradicated effectively, and tensions in the region can be eased," said Guo Jiakun.

China, Guo Jiakun said, is ready to work closely with the international community to continue to work on achieving solutions in Palestine.

"This solution must be as soon as possible, comprehensive, fair and eternal for Palestine and create a peaceful and stable Middle East," added Guo Jiakun.

About 250 hostages were taken to Gaza after a cross-border Palestinian group attack on October 7, 2023. Tel Aviv estimates nearly 50 Israeli hostages are still in Gaza, including about 20 people believed to be alive.

On Thursday (9/10), Hamas said that Palestinians would be released through exchange of prisoners in accordance with the criteria agreed in the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas also added that the release of Palestinian prisoners who are in Israeli prisons is one of its top priorities and the effort will continue until the last Palestinian prisoner is released.

The hostages detained by Hamas are expected to begin release on Monday after the Israeli Cabinet agrees to the US-proposed Gaza ceasefire agreement, according to a White House official.

Meanwhile, more than 11,000 Palestinians were detained in Israeli prisons, with 3,544 of them being held without trial, according to Israeli human rights group, the Individual Defense Center (HaMoked).

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed nearly 67,200 Palestinians in the enclave, mostly women and children.

The persistent bombing has left much of Gaza uninhabitable, leading to widespread hunger and disease spread.