UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) — A Chinese envoy on Friday warned of the consequences of the forced expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza and stressed the importance of an immediate ceasefire.
Nearly 100 days after the start of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, more than 23,000 people in Gaza, as well as more than 200 United Nations (UN) staff and journalists, have lost their lives, and 90 percent of Gaza's population has been displaced, according to Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative at the United Nations, said at a Security Council meeting.
Regarding the rhetoric of “voluntary migration” from Gaza, he said that any forced relocation of Palestinians must be firmly rejected.
“That would mean displacing two million people from Gaza and turning Gaza into a so-called security zone with no human inhabitants. If such a terrible idea were put into action, it would constitute a heinous crime under international law and completely destroy the prospect of a solution from two states,” Zhang said.
In addition, Zhang called for all necessary efforts to be made to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
Israel must fulfill its obligations as an occupying power, ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and cooperate fully in humanitarian relief efforts, he said.
China supports new Security Council measures to remove obstacles to the safe, rapid and unhindered entry of sufficient humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip, he said.
Meanwhile, Zhang called for a ceasefire in Gaza to be pursued with the utmost urgency.
Only a ceasefire could prevent further civilian casualties and humanitarian disasters, and only a ceasefire could prevent the entire Middle East region from being engulfed by catastrophe, he said.
It was worrying that the conflict was escalating rather than seeing prospects for an immediate ceasefire, he claimed.
An immediate ceasefire has become the overwhelming call of the international community. However, a permanent member of the Security Council uses various pretexts to block consensus on this issue in the Security Council by using his veto power. This is a blatant disregard for international fairness and justice as well as the authority of the Security Council, Zhang said.
“Some people have constantly talked about protecting human rights and preventing genocide, while playing dumb in the face of the terrible situation in Gaza, maintaining their obstructionist policies and trying to divert attention,” he said, adding that this was one use of a equals double standards. “It is imperative that we eliminate all interference and take decisive action to end the fighting, save lives and restore peace.”
China calls on the international community, especially the most influential countries, to make achieving a ceasefire the priority and urgent task, he said.
China is concerned about the indirect impact of the Gaza conflict on the situation in the Red Sea. The military action by the United States and United Kingdom against Yemen will undoubtedly increase regional tensions, Zhang said. End