President,

I thank Special Coordinator ad interim Sigrid Kaag and Dr. Sidhwa Feroze for the briefings.

Since May 16, Israel has continued to intensify its military offensive in Gaza, which has completely destroyed large densely populated areas and caused the deaths of more than 1,000 Gazans in the past two weeks alone.

The question has been repeatedly asked: When will this conflict end? Over the past 600 days, northern, central, and southern Gaza have been ravaged by war, claiming the lives of more than 54,000 people. The population of Gaza has been forcefully displaced time and again. The Security Council and the General Assembly have adopted multiple resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire, but the conflict has not yet subsided, and the engine of war is still roaring. Continued prolongation of the fighting will not lead to the release of hostages, but only to more deaths and hatred.

The question has been repeatedly asked: Are there no limits to the means of this conflict? Even wars have rules. Compliance with international humanitarian law is an undeniable obligation of all parties. In Gaza, however, we have witnessed the red lines of international law and the bottom line of human morality being repeatedly violated and breached. Humanitarian assistance has been weaponized, with two million people plunged into extreme hunger as a result of the prolonged blockade. Schools, hospitals, refugee camps, and UN facilities have been targeted. Journalists and humanitarian workers have been mercilessly killed. Securing humanitarian assistance is an obligation of the occupying power under international law. All assistance must adhere to the principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality. The safety and security of civilian facilities and humanitarian workers must be guaranteed. All attacks must be strictly investigated and the perpetrators held accountable.

The question has been repeatedly asked: Will the Palestinian people be forced to lose their homes once again? Gaza is in ruins with living conditions severely jeopardized. Recently, there have been repeated calls from the Israeli side for completely destroying and taking over all of Gaza. The Israeli army has already controlled more than 70% of Gaza. At the same time, continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank and intensified settler violence gravely squeezed the space for the Palestinian people to survive. Changing the demographic and territorial composition of Gaza, as well as settlement activities, are in violation of the Security Council resolutions and international law. The annexation of Gaza and the West Bank will completely take away the prospects for peace in the Middle East.

In the face of such questions, China firmly reiterates that a durable ceasefire in Gaza cannot be delayed, and that Israel must immediately cease all military operations. Alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe is an immediate priority. Israel must lift the blockade, fully restore humanitarian access, and support the UN and other international humanitarian organizations in their efforts to provide assistance. China appreciates and will continue to support the work of USG Fletcher. Gaza and the West Bank are inalienable parts of the State of Palestine. The international community must firmly oppose any attempt to annex the territories of Gaza or the West Bank, and oppose the forced displacement of the population of Gaza. The United States, as a country with significant influence over the party involved, should act in a fair and responsible manner and take effective and forceful actions. The Security Council shoulders the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Algeria and other members of the Council are currently working on a new draft resolution. China supports the Council in taking effective actions to promote a durable ceasefire and alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe. 

President, 

The implementation of the two-State solution is the only viable way to resolve the question of Palestine. The international community must step up its efforts to promote the political process of the two-State solution. We hope that the high-level conference on the implementation of the two-State solution to be held in June will provide fresh impetus to the prospect for realizing the two-State solution. China will continue to make joint efforts with the international community to quell the fighting in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, realize a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine, and restore peace and stability in the Middle East. 

Thank you, President.