BEIJING, Mar 1: China condemns the Israeli strike on Palestinian civilians crowded around trucks with humanitarian aid in Gaza City, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday.
On Thursday, the Palestinian authorities said the Israeli military opened fire at a crowd of people in Gaza City waiting to receive humanitarian aid, killing 112 and injuring 760 others. Israel denied that the death toll from its shooting was that high and claimed that most of the victims died in a crowd crush as people stormed the trucks loaded with aid.
“China is appalled by this incident and strongly condemns it. We express our condolences for the victims,” Mao told a regular press briefing.
China calls on all stakeholders, especially Israel, to implement an immediate ceasefire and stop the war, to ensure the security of the civilians in Gaza, and to provide access to humanitarian aid in order to prevent a further escalation of the humanitarian catastrophe, the spokesperson said.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from Gaza and breached the border, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. At least 30,000 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.
On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. (UNI)
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