China called on Israel to take immediate actions to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and issued a security alert asking its citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon as the killing of Hezbollah’s leader has driven the two sides closer to a full-scale war.
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The warnings come after Hassan Nasrallah, the long-time leader of Iran-backed Hezbollah, was killed in a heavy Israeli bombardment that levelled multiple buildings in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Friday.
“China is highly concerned about the relevant events and deeply worried about the escalation of regional tensions,” the Chinese foreign ministry said on Sunday.
“China opposes actions that infringe upon Lebanon’s sovereignty and security, opposes and condemns all actions that harm innocent civilians, and opposes any moves that intensify conflicts and lead to an escalation of the regional situation.”
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“China urges the parties involved, especially Israel, to take immediate measures to de-escalate the situation and prevent the conflict from further expanding or getting out of control”.