Israel-Palestine War On Day 16: China Worried Of Transborder Calamity, US And Allies Extends Support To Israel (Image:Twitter/UNRWA)
As the Israel-Palestine war enters day 17, China seems more worried and assured whatever they can do to prevent the large-scale ground conflict that now surpass the borders and extending to neighbouring countries. Meanwhile, Israel has intensified bombings of the Gaza Strip overnight. Reiterating their support to Israel, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, and the United States issued a joint statement and said Israel should follow the international humanitarian law and are supposed to protect the civilians.
Israeli-Lebanese and Israeli-Syrian borders are under threat and this made China anxious. China”s Middle East special envoy Zhai Jun on Monday urged the international community to be “highly vigilant”. He called for strict and urgent measures to halt a serious human disaster through the joint effort of countries holding international humanitarian law.
China is reportedly ready to do “whatever conducive” to promote dialogue, achieve ceasefire and restore peace. The country also encourages two-state solution and is said maintaining close communication with the international community including the Arab nations. China will continue its humanitarian assistance to Palestine with the help of United Nations (UN) and other bilateral channels.
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has deployed six warships – including the 052D guided-missile destroyer Zibo, the frigate Jingzhou, and the integrated supply ship Qiandaohu – considering the increasing tensions and they are all part of the PLA’s 44th naval escort task-force. They are deployed for some undisclosed location in the Middle Eastern waters, said Chinese state media.
In the joint statement issued by the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, and the United States, the countries reasserted Israel’s “rights to defend itself from terrorism and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians”. President Joseph R. Biden, Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom, unanimously welcomed the recent release of two hostages by the Hamas, and called for the urgent release of all remaining hostages.
Israel has the right to defend itself. We must make sure they have what they need to protect their people today and always.
At the same time, Prime Minister Netanyahu and I have discussed how Israel must operate by the laws of war. That means protecting civilians in combat as…
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 22, 2023
The leaders extended their support for those who wish to leave Gaza and greeted the news of first humanitarian convoys to reach Palestinians in need in Gaza. They assured their commitment to coordinate humanitarian aid to Gaza – including food, water, medical care, and other necessary assistance. Similar to China, they also urged the prevention of spreading the war to borders as it will distort the stability of the Middle East and called for a “diplomatic coordination… toward a political solution and durable peace”.
It is good and important news that the first humanitarian aid is now being delivered to the people in Gaza. They need water, food and medicine – which will be provided.
The German government continues to work through all channels to alleviate the suffering in this conflict.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) October 21, 2023
As per the reports, at least 4,600 Palestinians have lost their lives since the initial attack of Hamas on southern Israel on October 7. Around 1,400 Israeli’s are also noted dead in the war and thousands left wounded in both the parts. The conflict at Israeli-Lebanese border so far killed 27 Hezbollah members and five Israeli soldiers along with a number of civilians.
