President, 

I thank Special Coordinator a.i. Sigrid Kaag for her briefing. I would like to commend through you the position of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the Palestinian-Israeli issue. 

The resumed fighting in Gaza has sparked widespread concern and apprehension in the international community. Since March 17, Israel has carried out large-scale airstrikes, renewed its ground offensive, and occupied central Gaza. Israel has also cut off access to humanitarian supplies and electricity in succession, causing massive casualties and worsening the already grave humanitarian disaster. China is gravely concerned about the breakdown of the hard-won ceasefire. 

The stark contrast between the 15-month-long bloody conflict and the 42-day ceasefire fully shows that resuming the fighting is not the right way to bring back hostages. It only results in more killings. Securing a lasting ceasefire is the best way to save lives and bring hostages home, and it is an overriding priority. We urge Israel to abandon its obsession with the use of force, immediately cease its military operations against Gaza, and lift blockade on the access of humanitarian supplies into Gaza. It is hoped that the guarantors of the ceasefire agreement will act impartially and responsibly to promote consistent implementation of the three-phase ceasefire agreement, in order to achieve a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. 

With Gaza in the flames of war, the situation in the West Bank is equally critical. Over the past year or so, Israel has been expanding its settlements in the West Bank on a massive scale, demolishing a large number of Palestinian homes, and condoning settler violence. In particular, over the past two months, continued Israeli military operations have emptied by force multiple Palestinian refugee camps, displacing over 40,000 people. Settlement activities violate international law and Council Resolution 2334. Israel should cease its attacks on the West Bank, stop settlement activities, and effectively curb settler violence. 

China wishes to reiterate that implementing the two-State solution is the only viable way to resolve the Palestinian question. The international community should step up efforts to promote the political process of the two-State solution and provide robust guarantees. China supports the Gaza recovery and reconstruction plan jointly initiated by Egypt and other Arab states, and supports the commencement of rebuilding in accordance with the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine. China opposes the forced removal of Palestinian people, and opposes any attempt to annex the territories of Gaza or the West Bank. 

President, 

Elsewhere in the Middle East, tensions are also rising, and peace and stability are still in peril. Israeli forces have occupied five locations in southern Lebanon, flouting Council Resolution 1701 and violating Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Israel’s recent frequent airstrikes against Syria have also violated Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. China urges Israel to withdraw from Syria and Lebanon without delay. The political transition in Syria is at a critical stage. The Syrian interim authorities are responsible for ensuring the inclusiveness of the political process and effective fulfillment of their obligations under international law, including counter-terrorism obligations. China expresses concern over the renewed escalation in Yemen and the Red Sea, and calls on the country concerned to stop its airstrikes against Yemen and respect in earnest Yemen’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. The Houthis should stop attacks against and harassment of commercial vessels and maintain the safety of routes of navigation in the Red Sea. 

The Iranian nuclear issue has once again come to a critical crossroads. Properly handling the Iranian nuclear issue is crucial to peace and stability in the Middle East. History and reality have time and again proven the futility of sanctions, pressure, and the threat of force. Only dialogue and consultation provide the right way forward. On March 14, China, Russia, and Iran held a successful meeting in Beijing on the Iranian nuclear issue and issued a joint statement. Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his meeting with the representatives of Russia and Iran, put forward China’s five-point proposition on the proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue in the new context, calling for adherence to peaceful settlement of disputes through political and diplomatic means, creation of conditions for the resumption of dialogue and negotiation, and caution against any action that may escalate the situation. China stands ready to work with all parties for a just, balanced, and sustainable solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and promote international and regional peace and stability. 

In conclusion, I wish to reiterate that the question of Palestine is at the heart of the Middle East issue. Gaza must not become a battleground for political game. Civilian lives must not be sacrificed for political calculations. A lasting ceasefire must be realized in Gaza. China supports the Security Council in taking all necessary actions to this end. 

Thank you, President.