China and Russia issued a joint call for urgent action to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza, warning of the Middle East’s risk of sliding into an all-out war. During a United Nations Security Council session on Palestine, Russia’s ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, reaffirmed Russia’s stance for an immediate ceasefire.
Nebenzia pointed out the catastrophic situation in Gaza, with thousands of casualties, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, and millions forced to flee for their lives. He emphasized that the unbearable conditions in Gaza left Palestinians with no options and cautioned that the current situation could have grave consequences for the entire world.
The Russian ambassador also highlighted efforts to prevent mass displacement of Palestinians from their lands, citing international law and insisting on the clear obligations of the occupying authorities. He expressed concern over reports that Israel may persuade countries to accept Palestinian refugees.
On the other hand, China’s delegate, Zhang Jun, described the events in Gaza as a stain on humanity’s conscience and stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire declaration. Speaking before the Security Council, he noted that after nearly 100 days of ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, more than 23,000 people in Gaza had lost their lives, including over 200 UN personnel and journalists. He emphasized that these were not just cold statistics but human losses.
Ambassador Zhang emphasized the necessity of taking all measures to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, with an urgent call for an immediate ceasefire. He stated that strong actions were required to end the conflict and firmly reject any forced displacement of Palestinians.
Zhang emphasized that a ceasefire alone could prevent the collapse of the two-state solution, calling on the international community, especially influential nations, to prioritize achieving a meaningful ceasefire as their top priority.
