China Concerned About Continued Israeli Attacks On Gaza

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin at a regular press conference in Beijing, China on Monday (4/12/2023) (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said China was concerned about the continuing attacks by Israeli troops on the Gaza Strip after the humanitarian break was over.

"China is deeply concerned about the continuing fighting in Gaza. In the current situation, the goal of ending violence must not change and the principle of protecting civilians must not be violated," Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference in Beijing, China.

Israeli forces again bombarded the Gaza Strip on Friday morning (1/12) after a week-long humanitarian break was declared over.

Based on data from the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 509 Palestinians were killed and 1,316 others injured as a result of Israeli airstrikes since Friday.

"The fact proves once again that the use of violence will never bring peace. Civilian casualties will only create more hatred and cause further conflict," added Wang Wenbin.

Wang Wenbin said China asked related parties to exercise restraint, while the international community, especially countries that have an influence on Palestine and Israel, to seriously play a responsible role.

"To implement Resolution 2712 of the Security Council and resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in emergency meetings, pushing for a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire, protecting civilians, reducing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza".

"Continuing peace negotiations as soon as possible and working relentlessly to create peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel and lasting peace in the Middle East," said Wang Wenbin.

China in November 2023 became president in rotation at the United Nations Security Council (DK PBB).

The UN DK "only" issued a resolution on the Palestinian and Israeli conflict, namely Resolution 2712 UNDK issued on November 15, 2023, calling for an urgent and extended humanitarian pause and corridor across the Gaza Strip "for several days" to enable full, fast, safe, and unobstructed humanitarian access.

Furthermore, there was a humanitarian break for a week, namely on November 24 - December 1, 2023, including the release of prisoners from Israelis and Palestinians, the entry of hundreds of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid and medical and fuel assistance throughout the Gaza Strip.

But Israel returned to attack Gaza after the humanitarian break ended, continuing attacks after Hamas attacked them on October 7.

The death toll from the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip jumped to 15,523 people and injuries reached 41,316 people, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. Meanwhile, the death toll on the Israeli side reached 1,200 people.

Israel also launched airstrikes and artillery in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah retaliated, as an ally of Hamas, with rocket attacks on Israeli positions on the border.

More than 100 people in Lebanon were reported killed in the conflict, with 83 of them being Hezbollah fighters.