The United States has repeatedly “shielded” Israel over its war in Gaza, China said during a series of statements at the United Nations in New York, where it also urged Israel to immediately end its occupation of Palestinian territories.
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Over two days of meetings, Chinese diplomats accused Washington of blocking ceasefire efforts, adding that Israel ending its “unlawful presence” in Palestine was “not an option” but a “legal obligation”.
During a UN Security Council (UNSC) briefing on Monday, China’s deputy permanent representative Geng Shuang questioned why the council, despite being responsible for maintaining international peace and security, had been “unable to stop this human tragedy, the worst of its kind to this day”.
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Geng said Israel’s military operations had “never stopped” despite mounting ceasefire calls, as civilian deaths in Gaza surpassed an “alarming” and “unbelievable” 41,000. Most of those killed have been women and children, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.
“Had the US not shielded one side time and again, multiple resolutions of this council would not have been flagrantly rejected and defied,” Geng stated, referring to Washington’s vetoing of three previous ceasefire resolutions at the UNSC.