BEIJING: China on Thursday reaffirmed its support for the “just cause of the Palestinian people”, hoping the international community will follow the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Gaza.
“We hope that the international community will follow the Court’s advisory opinion, effectively alleviate the Palestinian humanitarian crisis, and make unremitting efforts to promote an early comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun said during his regular briefing on Thursday.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued an advisory opinion in the Palestinian Humanitarian Assistance case, unequivocally affirming Israel’s obligation to cooperate with the United Nations and its agencies to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of the occupied Palestinian territories. The opinion addresses the widespread concerns and expectations of the international community.
As a responsible major country, China actively participated in the Court’s proceedings, submitting written opinions and making oral statements, comprehensively expounding its position on important issues of international law.
He added that these positions are fully reflected in the Court’s advisory opinion. “We will continue to constructively participate in international legal affairs, take concrete actions to uphold international fairness and justice, and promote the advancement of the international rule of law,” he said.
Gaza’s health authorities report more than 68,300 people have been killed in the Israeli bombardment campaign, figures that United Nations agencies and humanitarian organisations say reflect the scale of the crisis.
United Nations and aid officials have repeatedly warned that further instability in the West Bank and any undermining of the ceasefire would exacerbate humanitarian suffering and complicate reconstruction and stabilisation plans.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior ministers have in recent days sought to defuse tensions with the US as Washington presses for the preservation of the truce and a smooth transition to the next phase of the Gaza plan.
