Published on: Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | Category: International
New York (United Nations) – China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, has called on Israel to lift its restrictions on humanitarian access to Gaza and to cease using humanitarian aid as a bargaining chip, amid an escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.
In a statement before the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, relayed by the Chinese news agency Xinhua, Fu emphasized that “humanitarian issues should not be politicized, and hunger should never be weaponized,” asserting that this principle lies at the heart of international humanitarian law.
Fu expressed concern over the ongoing situation in Gaza, where civilians have been repeatedly deprived of their most basic needs over the past 13 months of continuous conflict, leading to multiple violations of fundamental humanitarian principles.
The ambassador noted that the principal challenge to expanding humanitarian aid is not a lack of supplies, but rather the restrictions on humanitarian access. He urged Israel to “open all crossings immediately and effectively remove obstacles that hinder humanitarian access throughout Gaza.”
Fu further criticized Israel’s contradictory actions of restricting humanitarian access while blaming the UN and other humanitarian agencies for alleged inaction, calling this stance “unacceptable.” He implored Israel to “fully cooperate with the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies.”
He also stressed that an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, alongside early steps toward a two-state solution, represents “the primary path” to ending the conflict and restoring peace. Additionally, Fu urged Israel to cease its military operations in Gaza as well as its incursions into Lebanon and other countries.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) highlighted on Tuesday that the aid reaching Gaza remains inadequate to address the “catastrophic” conditions. UNRWA spokesperson Louise Whotridge reported that the daily average of 37 aid trucks entering Gaza, which has a population of 2.2 million, covers only 6% of the volume of goods that entered Gaza before the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warned on Saturday of the potential for famine in northern Gaza, which has been under a crippling blockade since October 5. Lazzarini expressed regret that such an outcome is “unsurprising,” pointing out that Israel has weaponized hunger, depriving the people of Gaza of basic necessities, including food, to survive, amid escalating international warnings of impending famine in northern Gaza.
For further updates on this developing humanitarian crisis, visit DZWATCH.DZ.
Author: Nor-Eleslam
