UNITED NATIONS: China’s permanent representative to United Nations, Fu Cong, called on the international community to end all forms of sexual violence, while urging an immediate end to the conflict in Gaza.
“The conflict in Gaza has lasted more than six months, where more than 10,000 women have been killed, and more than 1 million Palestinian women and girls are facing starvation,” Fu said.
“This man-made humanitarian disaster must end. The priority now is to promote the full implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2728, realize immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and stop all acts that harm civilians.”
Fu’s comments landed as the Security Council was handed the 15th annual report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence.
Children sitting in the boot of a car in Rafah, Gaza.
The report recorded 3,688 UN-verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence committed in 2023, reflecting a dramatic increase of 50 percent compared with the previous year. Women and girls accounted for 95 percent of the verified cases provided in the report, while the Palestinian Territories saw their first recorded inclusion.
Israeli sources reported early Wednesday that thousands of tents were ready for displaced Palestinians civilians as the Israeli Defense Forces make final preparations for an offensive on Rafah.
The Gazan city borders Egypt, and is believed to be one of the last remaining strongholds for Hamas, but is also playing host to over one million displaced Palestinians.
Israel resumed shelling across the enclave following days of calm and has been urging Palestinians to evacuate areas of expected clashes.
Volunteers feed displaced families in Jabalia.
Peace talks stalled
The intensified fighting and reports of mobilization come as regional mediator Qatar warned the international community of stalling peace talks between Israel and Hamas.
“Right now, there is nothing on the docket,” Majed Al-Ansari spokesman for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. “We are waiting to see if there will be any change in the positions of both sides that would lead to further negotiations over the terms that are now on the table.”
Rescuers search for dead bodies at Gaza’s Al Shifah hospital.
Qatar’s comments came as Gazan officials updated the enclave’s death toll which is now at 34,262 since the start of the conflict on October 7.
“Mediation is the only way to end this conflict, the only way to guarantee the security of the peoples on both sides and the only way to end the massacre and the bloodshed that is taking place right now in Gaza,” Al-Ansari continued. “Without belief in the process itself, I feel that it will be very difficult for the mediators to accomplish a result.”
