BEIJING, (PIC)
China, Saudi Arabia and Iran on Friday urged for the “immediate cessation of military operations in Gaza” and the flow of “sustainable relief” to Palestinians in the tiny enclave.
The call was made in a joint statement after a meeting of the deputy foreign ministers of the three countries in the Chinese capital Beijing held to follow up on the reconciliation agreement, known as the Beijing Agreement, between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
The statement also said the three officials “expressed concern about the ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip as a threat to regional and international peace and security.”
They also categorically rejected any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from their lands, the statement noted.
The three countries also stressed “that any arrangement regarding the future of Palestine must reflect the will of the Palestinian people, supporting their right to establish their own state and determine their destiny.”
Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege, and mounted a ground offensive since Oct. 7.
At least 18,987 Palestinians have since been killed and more than 50,000 injured in the Israeli onslaught, according to the Gaza health authorities.
