China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Fu Cong on Thursday strongly condemned the Israeli strike targeting top Hamas officials in Doha, Qatar.
Israel launched an unprecedented airstrike in a residential neighborhood of the Qatari capital of Doha on Tuesday in what Israeli authorities described as an attempt to assassinate leaders of Hamas.
Speaking at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council over the Israeli strike on Doha, Fu said "On September 9, Israel launched an attack on Doha, the capital of Qatar. This act flagrantly infringed upon Qatar's territorial sovereignty and national security, blatantly violated international law and the United Nations Charter, and undermined the efforts to achieve peace. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it."
Highlighting Qatar's role as a key mediator in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations, Fu stressed its significant efforts to promote peace, which have garnered high praise from the international community.
Fu pointed out that just two days before the attack, the United States had proposed a new ceasefire agreement, claiming that Israel had agreed to it.
However, just two days later, the Hamas delegation, which was discussing the ceasefire agreement, came under attack from Israel, said Fu.
"Such dishonest and irresponsible actions that deliberately undermine negotiations are truly egregious. China is deeply concerned that this attack may escalate tensions further in the region. It must be noted that this incident is closely tied to the longstanding imbalanced stance of certain non-regional powers regarding the Middle East issue. We urge these major countries to prioritize regional peace and stability, adopt a just and responsible approach, and work constructively with the international community to promote a ceasefire and ease tensions," Fu emphasized.
Fu reiterated that military means and the abuse of force are not viable solutions. An immediate ceasefire is essential for saving lives and bringing those held captive back home, he added.
China urges all involved parties, particularly Israel, to make more active efforts to end the fighting and restart negotiations, said Fu.
"The Gaza conflict has dragged on for nearly two years, resulting in an unprecedented and shocking humanitarian disaster. During this period, we have witnessed repeated violations of international law and the fundamental principles of international relations. The world cannot revert to the law of the jungle, and the Middle East must not remain shrouded in the shadow of war," said Fu.
The Security Council, as the primary institution for maintaining international peace and security, has the responsibility to uphold the international order and the rule of law, as well as promote peace and stability in the region, Fu added.
Chinese envoy strongly condemns Israeli strike in Qatar
