The adoption of a resolution that demands an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and immediate access to humanitarian assistance at scale sends a strong political signal and shows the international consensus, said China's permanent representative to the United Nations on Thursday.
The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution at an emergency special session on Thursday, with 149 votes in favor, 12 votes against, and 19 abstentions.
The resolution demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, to be respected by all parties."
It condemns any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access, and stresses the obligation not to deprive civilians in the Gaza Strip of objects indispensable to their survival, including by impeding relief supplies and access.
The resolution demands that Israel, as the occupying power, immediately end the blockade, open all border crossings and ensure that aid reaches the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip immediately and at scale.
It reiterates unwavering commitment to the two-state solution, and unequivocal rejection of actions that aim at forcibly displacing the Palestinian people and at unlawfully seizing Palestinian territory.
It also calls for efforts to ensure the safety of humanitarian personnel and UN and associated personnel, including national and locally recruited ones.
Fu Cong, the Chinese representative, said after the voting that the casualties of civilians and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza must no longer be allowed, adding that no excuses can justify the killing of civilians.
Fu said that China urges Israel to fulfill its obligation as the occupying power, immediately lift the blockade on Gaza, fully restore the entry of humanitarian supplies, and support the work of UN and humanitarian agencies in the region.
"The conflict in Gaza has lasted for 19 months since its outbreak. More than 55,000 Gazans have lost their lives and more than 2 million people have been plunged into an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. This conflict has become a stain on human civilization. Last week, the 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council proposed a draft resolution on the humanitarian issue in Gaza, which was supported by 14 members of the Security Council, but was again vetoed by the United States. China is deeply disappointed and regretful about this. The draft resolution just adopted by the General Assembly reflects the overwhelming voice of the international community, sends a strong political signal, and embodies the unity and consensus of the vast majority of UN members," he said.
Fu said the international community should take necessary actions to stop all unlawful acts and hold them accountable, and jointly defend multilateralism and the authority of international law.
China will work with the international community to continue to promote ceasefire in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian disaster, and ultimately achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, he said.
Adoption of UN resolution on Gaza ceasefire shows int'l consensus: Chinese envoy
Adoption of UN resolution on Gaza ceasefire shows int'l consensus: Chinese envoy
Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) blamed each other for violating the Gaza ceasefire on Wednesday, following the injury of an Israeli military officer.
The Israeli military said an officer was slightly injured earlier in the day in an explosive device attack in Gaza, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was carried out by Hamas.
The Israeli military said, "An explosive device was detonated against an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) vehicle during operational activity aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure in the area of Rafah," adding that the injured officer had been evacuated to hospital. It did not specify which group it believed was responsible.
Later in the day, Netanyahu blamed the attack on Hamas, saying that the attack, along with Hamas' "ongoing and continuing public refusal to disarm," constituted a "flagrant violation" of the ceasefire.
"Hamas must be held to the agreement that it signed, which includes removal from governance, demilitarization and de-radicalization," Netanyahu said in a statement, adding that Israel "will respond accordingly."
On the same day, Hamas denied involvement in the explosion in the southern Gaza city of Rafah that wounded the Israeli officer.
In a statement, the group said the blast occurred in an area "fully controlled" by Israeli forces and where no Palestinians were present, and that it had warned of unexploded ordnance in the area and elsewhere, denying responsibility for such remnants since the ceasefire took effect, particularly those it said were left over by Israeli forces.
Hamas called on Israel to abide by the ceasefire agreement and avoid actions it said could escalate tensions or undermine the truce. The group reiterated its commitment to the deal and related obligations.
Also on Wednesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met in Ankara with a Hamas delegation led by the group's senior member Khalil al-Hayya to discuss the situation in Gaza and exchange views on the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.
The Hamas delegation stressed it had adhered to the ceasefire conditions, yet accused Israel of continuing attacks on Gaza and hindering the transition to the second phase of the peace plan.
The delegation noted that around 60 percent of the trucks entering Gaza carried commercial goods, while the flow of humanitarian aid remained insufficient to address urgent needs, including daily essentials, medicines, shelter materials and fuel.
The Anadolu Agency quoted anonymous foreign ministry sources as saying that Fidan "reiterated that Türkiye will continue to defend the rights of Palestinians" and briefed the delegation on Türkiye's ongoing efforts to address shelter and humanitarian needs in Gaza.
Later this month, Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the United States and meet President Donald Trump. The two are expected to discuss the White House's push to advance to the second phase of the U.S. plan for Gaza, which includes a full Israeli military withdrawal from the enclave -- a move senior ministers in Netanyahu's cabinet have said they would oppose.
After two years of war in Gaza, a mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Oct. 10. However, Israeli forces have since then continued to carry out strikes across Gaza, citing alleged ceasefire violations and the need to eliminate threats.
According to Gaza's health authorities, at least 406 Palestinians have been killed and 1,118 injured since the ceasefire began, bringing the overall death toll from Israeli fire to 70,942 since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023.
The phased U.S. plan for Gaza also envisages Hamas being disarmed and having no governing role in the territory, the establishment of a transitional governing authority and the deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza in a subsequent phase.
Israel, Hamas trade accusations on ceasefire breach
