Madam President,

I thank Algeria, Guyana, Slovenia, and Switzerland for the initiative to convene today’s meeting. I thank the two briefers for their briefings. 

It has been six months since the conflict in Gaza erupted. More than 33,000 innocent civilians have lost their lives in the fighting, with millions more struggling in despair in the midst of an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. The Security Council adopted Resolution 2728 on March 25 calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. However, it is heartbreaking that the fighting has continued for more than 10 days, with civilians and humanitarian workers in Gaza exposed to daily gunfire and bullets. Every day, nearly a hundred innocent women and children die from bombings, hunger, and disease. The tragedy of Gaza tests the conscience of humanity and the credibility of the Security Council. 

First, the full implementation of Resolution 2728 must be taken as a matter of urgency. All resolutions of the Security Council are binding. It is the obligation of every member state to implement the resolutions and the commitment all have made when joining the UN. We urge Israel to implement the resolution immediately and cease its military attacks on Gaza and its collective punishment of the people of Gaza. We call on the major power with significant influence on the parties concerned to play an active role in promoting the implementation the resolution. We support the Security Council in taking further necessary actions to implement Resolution 2728. 

Second, there is no time to lose in alleviating the humanitarian disaster. Gaza is already suffering from a severe famine and the collapse of the medical system. The humanitarian disaster is beyond imagination. Israel must fully implement the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice and immediately lift the blockade of Gaza and the obstacles to humanitarian access. Rafah and all land crossings must be fully opened to allow the rapid, adequate, and safe passage of humanitarian supplies. 

Third, Israel must cease its attacks on humanitarian agencies and personnel. China strongly condemns the recent attacks on the humanitarian convoys. The attacks on humanitarian workers is shocking. It also warned us that since the outbreak of the conflict, Israel's attacks have already claimed the lives of over 170 UN staff. The life-saving humanitarian facilities and supplies have been damaged. Israel must abide by international law and international humanitarian law and provide assistance and security guarantees to humanitarian agencies. They must stop the malicious attacks and restraint on UNRWA.

Madam President,

The lessons of the current round of conflicts are tragic. They remind us once again that only through the full implementation of the two-State solution, the realization of an independent Palestinian state, and the correction of the historical injustice long suffered by the Palestinian people, will it be possible to break out of the vicious cycle of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. As the first step, we need to support Palestine’s full membership in the UN and support actions by the Security Council as soon as possible. At the same time, we advocate the convening of a larger, more authoritative, and more effective international peace conference to develop the timeline and pathway for the realization of the two-State solution. 

China will continue to work with the international community and make unremitting efforts to put an end to the fighting in Gaza, so as to alleviate the humanitarian disaster and realize the two-State solution. 

Thank you, Madam President.