CHINA CALLS FOR END TO GAZA’S ‘MAN-MADE HUMANITARIAN DISASTER’

CHINA’S permanent representative to United Nations, Fu Cong, called on the international community to end all forms of sexual violence, while urging an immediate end to the conflict in Gaza.

“The conflict in Gaza has lasted more than six months, where more than 10,000 women have been killed, and more than 1 million Palestinian women and girls are facing starvation,” Fu said.

“This man-made humanitarian disaster must end. The priority now is to promote the full implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2728, realize immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and stop all acts that harm civilians.”

Fu’s comments landed as the Security Council was handed the 15th annual report of the Secretarygeneral on conflict-related sexual violence. The report recorded 3,688 Un-verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence committed in 2023, reflecting a dramatic increase of 50 percent compared with the previous year. Women and girls accounted for 95 percent of the verified cases provided in the report, while the Palestinian Territories saw their first recoded inclusion.

Israeli sources reported early Wednesday that thousands of tents were ready for displaced Palestinians civilians as the Israeli Defense

Forces make final preparations for an offensive on Rafah.

The Gazan city borders Egypt, and is believed to be one of the last remaining strongholds for Hamas, but is also playing host to over one million displaced Palestinians.

Israel resumed shelling across the enclave following days of calm and has been urging Palestinians to evacuate areas of expected clashes.