UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — A Chinese envoy to the United Nations said Tuesday that achieving a ceasefire in Gaza is currently the top priority.
“First and foremost, the implementation of a ceasefire remains the most important prerequisite. Only a ceasefire can prevent further civilian casualties, including those of hostages. Only a ceasefire can prevent the regional conflict from spiraling out of control. And only a ceasefire can prevent the prospects of a political solution from completely disappearing,” Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said while briefing the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue.
The international community has repeatedly and overwhelmingly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, he said. “Yet Israel continues to bomb. Schools, hospitals, mosques, Christian churches and refugee camps have been repeatedly targeted by military operations.”
“There can be no justification for such attacks. It must be noted that creating more civilian casualties in Gaza will neither be the solution to rescuing the hostages nor will it lead to greater security for either party,” the envoy said.
“We call on Israel to immediately reverse its indiscriminate military attacks and collective punishments against the people of Gaza,” he added.
Regarding the West Bank, Zhang said everything must be done to prevent the situation on the ground from spiraling out of control.
“While the eyes of the international community are on Gaza, violence by the Israeli military and settlers in the West Bank has increased. Searches, arrests and attacks against Palestinians occur daily with frightening frequency and intensity, causing large numbers of Palestinian casualties,” the envoy explained.
Referring to the Security Council's new draft resolution aimed at removing barriers to humanitarian access and alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Zhang said he believes “no country should doubt this draft resolution for any reason.” We ask the Council to act constructively and support them in taking meaningful, immediate and life-saving action.”
“Given the protracted conflict in Gaza and escalations in the West Bank, the Council must continue to play its role and take action to reach a ceasefire and end the fighting as quickly as possible, restore peace in the region and defend justice.” and justice,” said the Chinese envoy.