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Wu Sike, China's special envoy for Middle East affairs (centre) meets with Secretary General of Arab League Nabil Elaraby (right) in Cairo. Photo: Xinhua

China calls for ceasefire in Gaza

Wu, the country's special envoy to the Middle East, calls situation 'grave' and 'worrying'

China called for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians as the two sides still rage war in Gaza despite pledges to a temporary truce

Wu Sike, China’s special envoy on Middle East affairs, said Beijing is highly concerned with the conflict that has already killed more than 1,030 Palestinians, mainly civilians, and 43 Israeli soldiers over the past 20 days.

Hamas said on Sunday that it agreed to a 24-hour truce ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. But Israeli strikes were still heard in Gaza and rockets were still targeted at southern Israel.

Wu, who visited Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Qatar and Egypt between July 15 and 25, said the situation in Gaza is “grave” and “worrying” and that a ceasefire was urgently needed.

“During my visit to Israel, I directly asked the Israel leaders to stop military action in Gaza and remove all blockage of Gaza and enhance the living standard of the people in Gaza,” Wu said today in a press briefing wrapping up his trip. “When I was in Palestine, I also talked to their leaders very clearly that they should stop firing rockets into Israel.”

Wu said China supported the ceasefire put forward by Egypt, but he added that the peace process is difficult because Israel and the Palestinians have serious distrust of each other.

The Palestinians demanded removal of the blockade on Gaza by Israel as a condition for ceasefire, Wu added. The United Nations should mediate between the different parties and work for a ceasefire proposal that is accepted by all of them, Wu said.

Wu also visited Iraq, Turkey and Iran between July 7 and July 14, as security in Iraq continues to worsen, affecting Chinese investment in the nation. Last month, some 1,300 Chinese employees of China Machinery Engineering Corporation were evacuated from the nation’s Samarra construction site. The workers would return to the site when security improves, Wu said.

He said the worsening security in Iraq is connected to the conflict in Syria and that China would step up anti-terror cooperation with other countries.

 

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