Chinese envoy stresses two-state solution as only viable path to resolving Israeli-Palestinian conflict

China's permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong on Wednesday reaffirmed that implementing the two-state solution is the only viable path to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Speaking at a Security Council meeting at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Fu expressed concerns over the escalating confrontations in Gaza and strongly condemned Israel's recent ground offensive in central Gaza, including attacks on World Health Organization facilities.

China urges Israel to immediately cease all military operations in Gaza, uphold its obligations under international humanitarian law, fully restore access to humanitarian supplies, and support aid efforts by the U.N. and other humanitarian agencies, Fu said.

The ambassador also expressed concerns over the rising tensions in the West Bank, reiterating the international community's position that Jewish settlement activities violate international law and Security Council resolutions and must be stopped immediately.

He called on Israel to halt attacks in the West Bank, effectively curb settler violence, conduct impartial investigations into all attacks and hold those responsible accountable.

"The Palestinian issue is at the core of the Middle East issue and implementing the two-state solution is the only viable path to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The international community must firmly reject unilateral actions that erode the foundations of the two-state solution and the dangerous attempts to annex Gaza and the West Bank," Fu said.

China welcomes the upcoming high-level meeting on the implementation of the two-state solution, hoping it will inject strong momentum into the peace process, Fu concluded.

Chinese envoy stresses two-state solution as only viable path to resolving Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Chinese envoy stresses two-state solution as only viable path to resolving Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Chinese envoy stresses two-state solution as only viable path to resolving Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Chinese envoy stresses two-state solution as only viable path to resolving Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Chinese envoy stresses two-state solution as only viable path to resolving Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Chinese envoy stresses two-state solution as only viable path to resolving Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Sunday that Tehran would view the United States and Israel's military bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" should Washington take military action against Iran.

At a parliamentary session convened to review an emergency proposal on assembly regulations, Qalibaf emphasized that, at this highly sensitive juncture, Iran must accurately and thoroughly identify the schemes of its adversaries.

Qalibaf said that Iran is currently confronting Israel and the United States simultaneously on four fronts: economic, cognitive, military, and counterterrorism. Of them, the economic warfare and the cognitive and psychological warfare began many years ago and have persisted to this day, growing increasingly complex and intense in recent years.

The remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran, taking advantage of its nationwide unrest.

Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.

Amid the ongoing protests, deadly clashes have been reported lately between police and what the government described as "rioters." However, no official death toll has been released.

Also on Sunday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the country's economic situation and political environment in a televised interview later that day.

Iran swears to counterattack if attacked