BEIJING: China and Russia on Tuesday voiced strong opposition to Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, emphasizing the importance of respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty after Israel said it had launched a ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement that China opposed “infringements on Lebanon’s sovereignty” and that Beijing was “highly concerned” about growing tensions.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military said it had launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, marking a significant intensification of a conflict that has already seen a week of devastating Israeli air strikes.
Israel announced the assault after launching a week of intense air strikes on Lebanon that left hundreds dead and assassinated Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
The Chinese foreign ministry expressed its “deep concern” regarding the escalating conflict and the potential for further regional instability. “China opposes infringements on Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and opposes any actions that exacerbate conflicts,” the statement read.
The Chinese foreign ministry statement read, “China is highly concerned about the current situation between Lebanon and Israel and is deeply concerned about the further escalation of regional tensions due to related military actions.”
China called on Israel to “take concrete actions to de-escalate the situation” and avoid exacerbating tensions that could lead to a wider conflict.
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Meanwhile, Russia urged Israel to “immediately” withdraw its troops of southern Lebanon, after the Israeli military began what it said were “ground raids”.
The Russian foreign ministry said, “We express our solidarity with the leadership and people of friendly Lebanon, which has been subjected to armed aggression.”
Russia’s calls for Israel to engage in peaceful resolutions to the Middle East conflict underline the escalating diplomatic tensions surrounding the situation.
Meanwhile, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon assessed that the Israeli military operations did not constitute a “ground incursion,” while Hezbollah denied any reports of their troops crossing the Israeli border.
There was no way to immediately verify the claims, which came as Israel targeted south Beirut, Damascus and Gaza despite international calls for restraint to avoid a regional conflagration.
