China urges immediate ceasefire in Gaza at UN

China's ambassador to the United Nations said on Thursday that the killing of civilians in Gaza must stop, as the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.

"We must not continue to allow innocent civilians to die," said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, in remarks to the General Assembly.

"Israel continues to escalate its military offensive against Gaza, and each day, large numbers of innocent lives are lost. Whatever pretext will not make killing civilians noble or just."

The conflict has killed more than 55,000 people in Gaza, and more than 2 million people are deeply trapped in an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, Fu said.

The vote in the 193-member assembly was 149 votes in favor, including China. The United States, Israel and 10 others voted against it, while 10 members abstained.

The resolution, drafted by Spain, also calls for the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the release of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

The resolution also "strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians ... of objects indispensable to their survival".

Israel has denied the claims of starvation.

'Overwhelming' call

Fu said that last week, the 10 elected members of the UN Security Council put forth a draft resolution on the humanitarian issues in Gaza, which had the support of 14 council members but was vetoed by the US. China found the veto "deeply disappointing and regrettable", he said.

"The draft resolution of the General Assembly just adopted reflects the overwhelming call of the international community, sends a strong political message, and embodies the solidarity and consensus among the overwhelming majority of member states," Fu said.

The two-state solution is "the only viable way out for the Palestinian question", he said, adding that a high-level conference will be held next week on the implementation of the two-state solution.

"China will join efforts with the international community to continue to work for a ceasefire in Gaza, ease the humanitarian catastrophe, and ultimately achieve the comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question."