Beijing Promises Aid to Gaza

May 21, 2021 (EIRNS)—China has promised $1 million in aid and 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Palestinians in Gaza following the ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas leadership in Gaza. “The conflict that dragged on for over 10 days has resulted in a grave humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, which requires urgent assistance of the international community,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters during the ministry’s daily briefing, today.

“China will provide $1 million of emergency humanitarian assistance to Palestine in cash, continue to provide humanitarian supplies to the best of its ability in light of Palestine’s needs, and take an active part in the reconstruction of Gaza. We will also provide tangible assistance to the Palestinian people by offering $1 million of donation and 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).”

Zhao also called for renewed diplomatic efforts towards a permanent peace based on the two-state solution. “To prevent the tragedy of the Palestine-Israel conflict from happening again, the international community should promote the resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel and the settlement of the Palestinian question in a comprehensive, just and durable manner on the basis of the ‘two-state solution,’ ” Zhao said. “China will push the Security Council to comprehensively review the Palestinian question and reaffirm the ‘two-state solution.’ ” Zhao further stated that China will invite peace advocates from both sides to China for seminars and possibly even negotiations.