In a strong statement on Wednesday, China condemned the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an overnight airstrike in Tehran, Iran. The Chinese envoy labeled the act as a blatant sabotage against ongoing peace initiatives and a reckless infringement of international sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, expressed deep concern about the potential for this incident to further destabilize the already volatile region during an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
The Gaza conflict, now approaching its 300th day, has led to the tragic loss of nearly 40,000 lives and triggered an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Despite the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2735 over two months ago, negotiations for a ceasefire have stalled, causing the conflict's effects to spill into neighboring areas such as Lebanon-Israel, Syria-Israel, and the Red Sea, thereby heightening the Middle East's precarious situation.
Fu urged all parties involved to heed the international community's call for a ceasefire, fully implement the Security Council resolution, and actively engage in international mediation efforts. He emphasized the need for practical actions to de-escalate tensions and restore regional peace and stability, warning against provocative and dangerous maneuvers that could further inflame the situation.
Highlighting recent irresponsible actions, Fu specifically condemned Israel's attacks on southern Beirut. He reiterated that military solutions and the misuse of force are not viable paths to resolving the crisis and will only exacerbate the situation.
Addressing the immediate causes of the ongoing deterioration, Fu pointed to the failure to implement a ceasefire in Gaza. He called on all parties to align with the international consensus for an immediate ceasefire to save lives, alleviate the humanitarian disasters, and contain the conflict's spillover effects.
The Chinese envoy concluded by urging Israel to cease all military actions in Gaza and appealed to influential countries to exert pressure on the involved parties to quell the violence and promote a return to peace.
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China strongly condemns assassination of Hamas political leader
cgtn.com
