By Riyaz ul Khaliq
ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Monday called on “all parties” to observe international humanitarian law in Gaza, where Israeli attacks have resulted in the killing of more than 5,000 Palestinians.
“We oppose and condemn all violence and attacks against civilians,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in response to Anadolu’s question about the killing of UN agency employees.
“We call on all parties to observe the international humanitarian law, avoid attacks against and sabotage of civilians and civilian facilities, and make every effort to de-escalate the situation,” Mao said.
“China is closely following the continued escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We mourn for the tragic loss of lives in the conflict,” the ministry spokeswoman said.
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East has reported that 29 of its staff have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7 in the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Israel launched a relentless bombardment campaign on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas into Israeli border towns on Oct. 7.
Nearly 6,500 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 5,087 Palestinians and more than 1,400 Israelis.