China Slams Israeli Violence in Gaza, Calls for International Resolution
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – China has denounced the killing of civilians in Gaza and criticized Israel's actions, describing them as "beyond the scope of self-defense."
In a phone conversation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen to respect international law, protect civilians, and condemn violence and attacks on civilians.
Wang emphasized the importance of abiding by international humanitarian law to safeguard the safety of civilians, stating, "All countries have the right to self-defense, but they should abide by international humanitarian law and protect the safety of civilians."
While Israel and its Western allies consider the ongoing conflict in Gaza a form of self-defense in response to Hamas's Al-Aqsa Storm operation, which began earlier in the month, China has expressed its commitment to contribute to Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation.
China has also called on Israel to take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in the Middle East. Wang underlined Beijing's strong support for any resolution that contributes to peace.
In a separate conversation with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki, Wang expressed deep sympathy for the people of Gaza and called for the convening of a more authoritative, wide-ranging, and effective international peace conference. He emphasized the need for the UN Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities, and he urged countries outside the region, especially major powers, to maintain objectivity and impartiality.
This statement comes at a time when the United States has sent munitions and military equipment to Israel and deployed aircraft carriers to the Mediterranean Sea in a show of support for Tel Aviv.
Israel initiated its offensive in Gaza on October 7 in response to Hamas's Al-Aqsa Storm operation, which was a surprise move against the occupying entity, launched due to the Israeli regime's long-standing campaign against Palestinians. Since the start of the Israeli aggression, over 5,300 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives, and approximately 15,000 others have been injured. The situation has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as Tel Aviv has restricted access to water, food, and electricity.
