President,

China supports the initiative of the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Greece, and Slovenia to convene this meeting. We also thank Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča and Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham for their briefings.

The Gaza conflict has persisted for 22 months, leading to over 61,000 civilian deaths and resulting in an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. Despite repeated calls from the international community for a ceasefire and cessation of fighting, the situation, worryingly, continues to evolve in an even more dangerous direction. Given the urgency at hand, the international community, including the Security Council, must take all necessary actions before a greater disaster unfolds. I wish to share four points.

First, any attempt to occupy Gaza must be firmly opposed. The recent approval by Israel’s security cabinet of a plan to take over Gaza is a matter of grave concern for China. We urge Israel to stop this dangerous move at once. Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people. It is an integral part of the Palestinian territory. Any action that seeks to alter its demographic and territorial structure must be met with utmost rejection and resistance.

Second, the illusion of military supremacy must be abandoned. Military means are not the way to solve this problem. An immediate ceasefire is the only right way to save lives and secure the release of hostages. Continually escalated military offensives in Gaza will only lead to more killings and deaths. We have also noted that an immediate ceasefire and the return of hostages are the very wishes of the Israeli people and the families of the hostages. The Israeli Government needs to listen to the calls of both the international community and its people, immediately stop escalating tensions, and put an end to its military operations in Gaza. The country with significant influence over the parties must uphold a just and responsible stance and take concrete steps to push forward a ceasefire.

Third, the humanitarian disaster in Gaza must be alleviated. Gaza is on the verge of famine, with nearly 200 people having already died of starvation. Israel issued forced evacuation orders one after another, affecting over 87% of the Gazan territory and repeatedly displacing more than 1.9 million people. The lives of two million Gazans must not be the sacrifice of the war. The weaponization of humanitarian supplies is unacceptable. The collective punishment of the Gazan people is unacceptable. Attacking civilians and humanitarian workers as they search for supplies is equally unacceptable. Israel must fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law as an occupying power, open all border crossings, lift restrictions on aid access, ensure the large-scale, swift, and safe entry of humanitarian supplies into Gaza, and support the UN in its aid delivery in accordance with the humanitarian principles.

Fourth, the prospect of the two-State solution must be reinvigorated. Implementing the two-State solution is the only viable path to resolving the Palestinian question and achieving the peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel. Last week’s high-level conference on implementing the two-State solution witnessed strong, resounding calls in support of the two-State solution. This positive momentum should be maintained at the international level to redouble efforts to advance the political process of the two-State solution and jointly counter any unilateral move that sabotages its foundation.

China stands ready to work alongside the international community to advance an end to the war in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, and implement the two-State solution, ultimately achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution of the Palestinian question.

I thank you, President.