On January 4th, local time, the United Nations Security Council reviewed the situation in the Middle East and expressed concern over the Israeli attack on medical facilities in northern Gaza. Chinese Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, stated that China supports the Security Council in fulfilling its responsibility to maintain international peace and security, taking all necessary actions to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, alleviate humanitarian disasters, implement the two-state solution, and respond to the expectations of the international community. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Tierk reported that the Israeli military action in Gaza had a devastating impact on medical institutions. More than 100000 Palestinians were injured, more than 1050 medical personnel were killed, and many of the wounded were waiting to die for lack of treatment. The World Health Organization’s representative in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Pipkorn, stated that Israel has confirmed 654 attacks on medical facilities in Gaza, pushing the local healthcare system to the brink of collapse. Palestinian charity medical worker Tania Hassan pointed out that medical personnel in Gaza have become targets of attacks. Fu Cong said that at the beginning of the new year, people are looking forward to everything being updated. However, in Gaza, the shadow of death continues to cover, and Israel’s bombing attacks have not stopped for a moment. The countdown for the people of Gaza is not the celebration of the arrival of the new year, but the next bombing that comes at any time. On the eve of the New Year, a shocking tragedy occurred in northern Gaza, where the Israeli army launched an attack on the only remaining comprehensive medical service institution in the north, Kamal Adwan Hospital, resulting in a large number of deaths. This behavior seriously violates international law, especially international humanitarian law, and is shocking. China strongly condemns this. Fu Cong emphasized that protecting the safety of medical facilities in armed conflicts is the bottom line of international humanitarian law. Intentionally launching large-scale, indiscriminate attacks on medical facilities that cause innocent civilian casualties without sufficient evidence to prove that they have become hostile facilities, violates international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime. Fu Cong stated that some analyses have pointed out that Israel’s deadly attacks on medical institutions in Gaza are part of a systematic strategy to turn Gaza into an uninhabitable place. China expresses serious concern and strong opposition to this. China urges Israel to effectively abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law, stop turning hospitals into battlefields, cease attacks on medical facilities, ensure the safety of medical institutions and personnel, and release all detained medical personnel. Fu Cong pointed out that the Gaza conflict has caused unprecedented humanitarian disasters and civilian casualties. When the conflict enters 15 months and reaches the starting point of 2025, ending the conflict and restoring peace remains the most urgent matter, which is also the responsibility that the Security Council has delayed for too long. The relevant countries repeatedly claim that a ceasefire agreement is about to be reached, but the reality is that the killing and death continue. I want to emphasize that differences in negotiations need to be bridged with political will, not with innocent lives. Winning wars does not necessarily guarantee peace, and military strength alone cannot guarantee lasting security. Fu Cong urged Israel to heed the strong call of the international community and immediately cease all military adventures. The Chinese side calls on Israel to lift humanitarian access restrictions in Gaza, cease implementation and promptly revoke the law targeting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and ensure the safety and convenience of humanitarian agencies such as the Agency in carrying out rescue operations.
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