During a tense briefing at the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, strongly urged Israel to lift restrictions on humanitarian access in Gaza.
Fu emphasized that humanitarian issues must remain unpoliticized and that hunger should never be used as a weapon. \"This is the fundamental bottom line of international humanitarian law,\" he stated.
Highlighting the dire situation, Fu pointed out that civilians in Gaza have been deprived of their basic needs repeatedly over the past 13 months of conflict. He stressed that the main obstacle to scaling up humanitarian assistance is not the lack of supplies but the man-made restrictions on access.
\"Israel is restricting humanitarian access on one hand, and accusing the UN and humanitarian agencies of inaction on the other. This is unacceptable,\" Fu remarked, calling for Israel to fully cooperate with the UN and other humanitarian organizations.
He noted that the recent completion of polio vaccinations in Gaza, supported by the World Health Organization, demonstrated the potential for expanded humanitarian efforts when there is political will. Fu concluded by urging an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and the early implementation of a two-state solution as essential steps toward peace.
Reference(s):
Chinese envoy urges Israel to stop using Gaza aid as bargaining chip
cgtn.com
