Arab and Muslim delegation urges ceasefire in Gaza from Beijing

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Nov 2023 08:56

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi describes the unfolding situation in Gaza as a 'humanitarian disaster'.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the EU-China High-Level Strategic Dialogue at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on October 13, 2023. (AFP)

Arab and Muslim ministers urged for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza during their visit to Beijing on Monday, marking the initial stage of a diplomatic tour aiming to advocate for an end to the Israeli aggression on Gaza and facilitate humanitarian aid to the devastated Palestinian enclave.

Additionally, the delegation intends to exert pressure on Western nations to reject "Israel's" "self-defense" justification for its ongoing aggression against Palestinians.

The officials engaging in discussions with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday represent countries such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, Palestine, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, among others.

"We are here to send a clear signal: that is we must immediately stop the fighting and the killings, we must immediately deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza," said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

'A humanitarian disaster is unfolding in Gaza'

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the international community to take immediate action to prevent the unfolding "humanitarian disaster" in Gaza.

Diplomats from Arab and Muslim-majority nations, including a delegation from the Palestinian Authority, Indonesia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, are currently in Beijing for discussions focused on de-escalating the ongoing war.

Addressing foreign ministers during the opening remarks in Beijing, Wang said, "Let us work together to quickly cool down the situation in Gaza and restore peace in the Middle East as soon as possible."

"A humanitarian disaster is unfolding in Gaza," Wang added.

It is worth noting that China's Foreign Ministry has consistently advocated for an immediate ceasefire and urged both "Israel" and Palestine to pursue a "two-state solution" for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Since the beginning of the war on Gaza, the death toll in the Gaza Strip has surpassed 12,300, including at least 6,000 children. UNRWA has lately estimated that nearly 1.7 million individuals have been displaced in the region since October 7, with almost 884,000 seeking shelter in 154 UNRWA installations, including those in northern Gaza.