A Chinese envoy to the United Nations urged the Security Council on Tuesday to investigate barriers obstructing the effective implementation of Resolution 2720, which called for increased aid to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, while calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The resolution aims to enhance humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza, addressing the crisis with crucial supplies such as fuel, food, and medical assistance, alongside pressing for an immediate ceasefire.
During a UN Security Council briefing on Tuesday, Sigrid Kaag, UN Coordinator for Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance for Gaza, highlighted the worsening humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian enclave.
Kaag noted a significant decline in aid deliveries across Gaza since the Israeli military operation in Rafah began in early May, compounded by the closure of the Rafah Border Crossing.
Emphasizing the need for political will, Kaag underscored that the monitoring mechanism mandated by Resolution 2720 now tracks aid shipments from Jordan, Cyprus, Israel, and the West Bank to Gaza. The activation for Egyptian supplies is anticipated by mid-July.
Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, condemned the man-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza during his address, citing severe breaches of international law and humanitarian standards.
He lamented the prolonged closure of the crucial Rafah crossing, resulting from Israeli military actions, which has caused extensive delays for humanitarian aid convoys.
Fu reiterated China's stance on humanitarian principles, stressing that the politicization of humanitarian issues and exacerbating the crisis are unacceptable. He called on Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law, ensuring safe and swift access for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
He emphasized that existing crossing points fail to meet the demand for humanitarian aid, underscoring the indispensable role of land transport routes in scaling up humanitarian access, rather than the expansive floating dock built by some country.
Fu also criticized the repeated targeting of humanitarian agency facilities and the inadequate safety measures for humanitarian workers.
Fu reiterated China's stance that hunger must not be weaponized, humanitarian issues should not be politicized, and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis through man-made actions is unacceptable.
He urged Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law and take concrete actions to ensure the swift and safe delivery of humanitarian supplies on a large scale into Gaza.
"The Security Council adopted Resolution 2720 with the intent to massively expand humanitarian access, but it has clearly not materialized. It is imperative to scrutinize the factors hindering the effective implementation of the resolution. We call upon the relevant countries to make greater efforts to urge the parties concerned to demonstrate political will, thereby effectively removing obstacles preventing the large-scale entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza," said Fu.
The envoy also emphasized that achieving a lasting ceasefire and relaunching the two-State solution are fundamental to alleviating the humanitarian disaster and saving innocent lives. He urged the international community to continue its relentless efforts toward this goal and support the Security Council in taking further necessary actions promptly.
China urges UN action on Gaza crisis, calls for ceasefire, implementing resolution
