- Reuters
- 3 Hours ago
China, Turkiye say Gaza belongs to Palestinians
BEIJING/ISTANBUL: Denouncing Israel’s plan to control Gaza, China on Friday said the territory “belongs to the Palestinian people” and Turkiye called for preventing the displacement of “Palestinians from their own land”.
Read more: Netanyahu says Israel intends to take control of entire Gaza
On the other hand, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany will halt the export of military equipment to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip.
Read more: No peace amidst occupation of Palestinian territories: PM
‘STARVATION AND ETHNIC CLEASING
However, the strongest reaction came from Saudi Arabia which mentioned the ongoing “ethnic cleansing”.
It rejected Israel’s plan to take over Gaza City, lambasting it for the “starvation” and “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians in the blockaded territory.
Riyadh said it “condemns in the strongest and most forceful terms the decision of the Israeli occupation authorities to occupy the Gaza Strip”, in a foreign ministry statement on X.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia added that it “categorically condemns its persistence in committing crimes of starvation, brutal practices, and ethnic cleansing against the brotherly Palestinian people”.
DANGEROUS ACTIONS
In its reaction, China expressed on Friday “serious concerns”, urging Israel to “immediately cease its dangerous actions”.
Read more: Trump wants Middle East nations to join Abraham Accords
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told AFP in a message, “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory.”
When it comes to the solution, the statement read, “The correct way to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to secure the release of hostages is an immediate ceasefire.”
Read more: Over 60,000 killed in Gaza where famine is unfolding
“A complete resolution to the Gaza conflict hinges on a ceasefire; only then can a path to de-escalation be paved and regional security ensured,” the spokesperson said.
Israel’s military will “take control” of Gaza City under a plan proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and approved by his security cabinet, his office said in a statement Friday.
Read more: Israel’s security cabinet endorses Gaza city military takeover
MOUNTING PRESSURE
Nearly two years into the war in Gaza, Netanyahu faces mounting pressure at home and abroad for a truce to pull the territory’s more than two million people back from the brink of famine and free the hostages held by Palestinian armed groups.
Under the plan to “defeat” Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army “will prepare to take control of Gaza City while distributing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population outside combat zones,” the premier’s office said.
Beijing said Friday it was “willing to work together with the international community to help end the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible.”
FULLFIL YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Similarly, Turkiye urged the international community to prevent Israel’s plan to take control of Gaza City, saying it was a “heavy blow” to peace and security.
Read more: Erdogan hails Macron for decision to recognise Palestinian state
“We call on the international community to fulfil its responsibilities to prevent the implementation of this decision, which aims to forcibly displace Palestinians from their own land,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
NO GERMAN ARMS
The arms export freeze marks a drastic change of course for Germany, which has long been one of Israel’s staunchest international allies.
Merz said it was “increasingly unclear” how the latest Israeli military plan would help achieve the aims of disarming Hamas and freeing the remaining Israeli hostages.
“Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice,” he said in a statement.
A DIVIDED EU
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday that Israel must reconsider its plan.
“The Israeli government’s decision to further extend its military operation in Gaza must be reconsidered,” she wrote on X.
But European Council chief Antonio Costa used much stronger words, saying “such a decision must have consequences” for EU-Israel ties.
“I strongly urge the Israeli government to reconsider its decision,” Costa, who heads the body representing the bloc’s 27 states, wrote on X.
“The situation in Gaza remains dramatic, and the decision by the Israeli government will only further worsen it.”
Costa, who is Portugal’s former prime minister, also made it clear that the two-state solution was the only solution.
“The two-state solution remains the only sustainable, long-term solution for peace and security in Israel and the region.”
Read more: Portugal mulls over recognising Palestinian state, Gaza gets more attention
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