China’s foreign minister claims that Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip have “gone beyond the scope of self-defence”.
It comes amid fears that the Israeli ground strikes, in retaliation to Hamas attacks, could further endanger innocent Palestinians. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi slammed the risk to civilians.
During a call with Suadi Arabia Foreign Minster Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the minister said protecting "the basic needs of the people in Gaza" is a priority and "China opposes and condemns all acts that harm civilians”.
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Hamas militant fighters launched large-scale attacks on Israeli villages close to the Gaza Strip over a week ago. Land, air and sea attacks have since been carried out in what has been described as the deadliest attack by Palestinian militants in history.
Civilians have also been taken hostage during the attacks prompting Israel to launch widespread air strikes on the Hamas-controlled territory.
The Israel Defense Forces have said the thousands of bombs dropped on the sliver of land have targeted the extensive network of tunnels under Gaza, as reported by Newsweek. Thousands have been killed on both sides.
Hamas uses around 300 miles of tunnels under Gaza and is home to around 2.3 million people according to the U.S. think tank, the Institute for the Study of War. Many of the residents are civilians,
Israel has also launched a siege and a blockade of key supplies such as food, water and medicine. Leaving hospitals in Gaza overwhelmed – 70% of residents do not have access to health services.
According to the Gazan Health Ministry, 2,329 people have died in Gaza since October 7. More than 1,300 Israelis have been killed in the eight days of fighting.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, said: “We oppose acts that harm civilians and violate international law. We are committed to promoting peace talks and achieving a ceasefire and will continue to work for de-escalation and resumption of peace talks."
More than a million people living in northern Gaza had already been told by Israel to migrate south. However, the United Nations (UN) claimed might not be "simply possible."
According to Hamas's representatives, the rocket assaults on the Israeli city of Sderot in the south were "in response to the targeting of civilians." Adding Hamas also attacked a number of settlements near the Gaza border.
On Sunday an IDF spokesperson said rockets were fired on Tel Aviv and southern Israel overnight, and that fighting was continuing around the north of the Gaza Strip.
The IDF continues to "attack different military targets belonging to Hamas," Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said. Israel is preparing for the "next stage" of operations, he added.
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