Chinese envoy calls for durable Gaza cease-fire

UNITED NATIONS, May 29 : A Chinese envoy called  for a durable cease-fire in Gaza and efforts to alleviate the  humanitarian catastrophe in the strip.

Since May 16, Israel has  continued to intensify its military offensive in Gaza, which has  completely destroyed the densely populated areas and caused the deaths  of more than 1,000 Gazans in the past two weeks alone, Fu Cong, China’s  permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security  Council.

Fu said the questions have been repeatedly asked: When will  this conflict end  Are there no limits to the means of this conflict   Will the Palestinian people be forced to lose their homes once again

In  the face of such questions, China firmly reiterates that a durable  cease-fire in Gaza cannot be delayed, and that Israel must immediately  cease all military operations, he said.

“Alleviating the humanitarian  catastrophe is an immediate priority. Israel must lift the blockade,  fully restore humanitarian access, and support the United Nations and  other international humanitarian organizations in their efforts to  provide assistance,” Fu said.

Gaza and the West Bank are inalienable  parts of the State of Palestine, he stressed, adding that the  international community must firmly oppose any attempt to annex the  territories of Gaza or the West Bank, and oppose the forced displacement  of the people of Gaza.

The United States, as a country with significant  influence over the party involved, should act in a fair and responsible  manner and take effective and forceful actions. The Security Council  shoulders the primary responsibility for the maintenance of  international peace and security.

China supports the council in taking  effective actions to promote a durable cease-fire and alleviate the  humanitarian catastrophe, he said. The implementation of the two-state  solution is the only viable way to resolve the question of Palestine.

The international community must step up its efforts to promote the  political process of the two-state solution, said Fu.

“We hope that the  high-level conference on the implementation of the two-state solution to  be held in June will provide fresh impetus to the prospect of realizing  the two-state solution.”

China will continue to make joint efforts with  the international community to quell the fighting in Gaza, alleviate  the humanitarian catastrophe, realize a comprehensive, just, and lasting  solution to the question of Palestine, and restore peace and stability  in the Middle East, he said.

(UNI)