Chinese in Israel told to avoid ‘high-risk areas’ as migrant worker hurt in rocket fire from Gaza

Israel carries out air strikes on Gaza in response to rockets fired by armed groups after prominent Palestinian activist dies in custody
Chinese migrant worker injured in southern Israel is in stable condition following prompt surgery, embassy says

China-Middle East relations

Dewey Simin Singapore

Published: 6:46pm, 3 May, 2023

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China’s embassy in Israel has warned its citizens to be on the alert and avoid “high-risk areas” after one Chinese national was injured in crossfire between Israel and Palestinian militant groups.

Israeli jets carried out air strikes on Gaza late on Tuesday, in response to a volley of rockets fired from there by armed groups following the death in custody of a prominent Palestinian activist.

Khader Adnan, 45, a leading figure in the Islamic Jihad militant group, was found dead in his cell after being on hunger strike since Israeli forces detained him nearly three months ago.

Israel said at least 40 rockets were launched and its defence forces responded with air strikes on military posts, a weapon manufacturing site and a training facility belonging to Hamas, the largest Palestinian militant group.

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The Chinese embassy said a Chinese migrant worker was among the casualties in southern Israel, but was in a stable condition following prompt surgery.

The embassy added that it would continue to maintain close contact with Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens.

“Our embassy once again specially reminds Chinese citizens in Israel to pay close attention to the local security situation, avoid going to high-risk areas or staying in dangerous areas, enhance safety awareness, strengthen safety precautions, and ensure personal safety,” it said in a statement early on Wednesday.

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The Israeli military on Wednesday said its air strikes had significantly harmed the capabilities of the Hamas group.

It came as Reuters, citing two Palestinian officials, reported that Israel and armed groups in Gaza had agreed to a “reciprocal and simultaneous” ceasefire, following an effort by Egyptian, Qatari and United Nations officials.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang last month said Beijing was ready to mediate peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as he voiced concerns over the deepening conflict.

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Qin held separate phone calls with both his Israeli and Palestinian Authority counterparts on April 17. In talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, he said Beijing hoped Israelis and Palestinians could “coexist peacefully and maintain regional peace and stability”, as he encouraged both sides to “show political courage and take steps to resume peace talks”.

China and Israel signed an agreement in 2017 to bring in 20,000 Chinese construction workers to speed up domestic housing projects in Israel, and there were discussions over whether their workplaces would be located in high-risk areas.

Thousands of Chinese labourers are estimated to be engaged in Israel’s construction sector.