China has intensified its diplomatic push for peace in Gaza, with its UN envoy calling for an \"immediate and lasting ceasefire\" during a Security Council meeting on Wednesday. Fu Cong, China's Permanent Representative to the UN, warned that prolonged conflict risks deepening humanitarian suffering while failing to secure hostage releases.
The appeal comes as Israel's military operations in Gaza enter their third week, with over 1,000 civilian casualties reported since mid-May. Despite multiple UN resolutions demanding de-escalation, hostilities continue to displace populations and destroy critical infrastructure.
\"Extending the conflict will only result in more death and hatred,\" Fu stated, urging strict adherence to international humanitarian law. He called for Israel to ensure unimpeded aid access and protect humanitarian workers, while demanding the lifting of Gaza's blockade.
Emphasizing territorial integrity, Fu declared Gaza and the West Bank \"inseparable parts\" of a future Palestinian state. He cautioned against annexation attempts and population displacement, while urging the United States to adopt \"a fair and responsible approach.\"
The Chinese envoy reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to the two-state solution as the cornerstone of Middle East peace, pledging to collaborate with international partners. \"China will continue working to alleviate humanitarian suffering and create conditions for lasting stability,\" Fu concluded.
