A Chinese envoy to the United Nations said that achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is the most important priority at the present time.

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, said at a Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, especially the Palestinian issue, “First, achieving a ceasefire remains an absolute necessity. It will not prevent further human casualties among civilians, from "Including the hostages, except for achieving a ceasefire. Only achieving a ceasefire is what will prevent the regional conflict from spiraling out of control. Only achieving a ceasefire is what will prevent any possibility of completely eliminating the political settlement."

He said that the international community has often and strongly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, continuing by saying, "However, Israel continues to bomb and bomb, repeatedly targeting schools, hospitals, mosques, churches, and refugee camps in military operations."

He continued, "We urge Israel to immediately reverse its actions and stop its indiscriminate military attacks and policy of collective punishment against the residents of the Gaza Strip."

Regarding the West Bank, Zhang stressed the need to make every effort to prevent the situation in the West Bank from getting out of control.

"While the eyes of the international community are focused on Gaza, violence by the Israeli army and settlers has increased in the West Bank. Searches, arrests and attacks against Palestinians are taking place on a daily basis with an appalling pace and intensity, resulting in a huge number of Palestinian deaths and injuries," the envoy said.

Regarding the two-state solution, Zhang said this approach must be revived with the utmost political determination.

He added, "The two-state solution is the only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian issue. It is also widely agreed upon in the international community."

"China calls for an international peace conference that is larger in size, scope and impact, and to formulate a timetable and roadmap so that the two-state solution can actually be achieved," Zhang said.

Zhang touched on the new Security Council draft resolution aimed at removing obstacles to humanitarian access and alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, saying, “We believe that no country should fail, for any reason, with regard to this draft resolution. We urge the relevant Council members to do so.” We call on members to adopt a constructive approach and support the Council in taking meaningful, life-saving and immediate action.”

“In the face of the protracted conflict in Gaza and the escalation in the West Bank, the Council must continue to play its due role and take measures to achieve a ceasefire and end the fighting early, restore regional peace, and uphold integrity and justice,” the envoy said.