China tells UNSC: Gaza an ‘open-air prison’, US floating pier no alternative to roads
More than 2 million people are “living in an open-air prison” in Gaza with “water, electricity, food, medication, and fuel” supplies cut off, China’s Ambassador Fu Cong has told the UN Security Council.
Gaza “has been under blockade for nine months” while the “most important Rafah crossing has been forced to close for two months because of Israeli military operations”, Fu said.
The Chinese ambassador pointedly criticised a temporary pier built as an alternative route for humanitarian deliveries, referring indirectly to the US, whose military built the pier, as “some country”, in an English translation provided by China’s UN mission.
“The huge investment in the floating dock by some country and the many twists and turns in its use once again show that land transport routes are the key to the expansion of humanitarian access at scale and their role is irreplaceable,” he said.
Remarks by Ambassador Fu Cong at the UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Questionhttps://t.co/G6RlSTjCv2 pic.twitter.com/OSE1WYHmiq
— Chinese Mission to UN (@Chinamission2un) July 2, 2024
Saudi Arabia urges end to Gaza aggression: Local media
Saudi Arabia has reiterated it is making “vigorous efforts” on the political and humanitarian fronts to end the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians in Gaza, local media reports say.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the statement was made following a council of ministers meeting, headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the western city of Jeddah.
The meeting also reviewed “the Kingdom’s international efforts to support initiatives aimed at gaining further global recognition of the State of Palestine”.
It also stressed Saudi Arabia’s “ongoing provision of relief aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip” amid international warnings of growing famine risks as the entry of humanitarian aid trucks fell significantly after the Israeli army attacked Rafah and seized control of the Rafah crossing on May 6.
Far-right Israeli minister retweets post promoting Sinai occupation
Israel’s far-right Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu has retweeted a post promoting merchandise that calls for the occupation of Egypt’s Sinai peninsula.
Israel returned the region following a peace agreement signed with Egypt in 1979.
The tweet calls for the purchasing of a shirt showing a map of Israel which includes the occupied West Bank, Gaza and Sinai. “Take it on trips, dress all the children in it [soon there will also be sizes for little ones], put it on the car, let’s create awareness: The people demand an occupation! Occupation now!” read the original tweet promoted by Eliyahu.
