China urges Israel to comply with UNSC Gaza cease-fire resolution

China called on Israel to fulfill its obligations under the U.N. Charter and comply with the U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, saying that the council’s resolutions are “binding on Israel.”

China “calls on the parties concerned to fulfill their obligations under the U.N. Charter and to take due action as required by the resolution,” Lin said in response to a question by Anadolu Agency (AA) about comments by the U.S. top envoy to the U.N. who claimed a resolution passed Monday was “non-binding” on parties to the conflict in Gaza, which has been under an onslaught by Israel since Oct. 7.

More than 32,333 Palestinians have since been killed and over 74,694 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

The U.N. Charter stipulates that all Security Council resolutions are legally binding under international law.

The Council passed a resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began March 11 and is set to end April 9.

Fourteen countries on the 15-member Council voted in favor of the resolution that was presented by 10 members. The U.S. abstained.

The resolution demanded an “immediate cease-fire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable cease-fire.”

It also insisted on the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs.”

After the resolution passed, the Chinese top diplomat to the U.N., Zhung Jun, told the Council: “If fully and effectively implemented, (the resolution) could still bring long-awaited hope. Security Council resolutions are binding.”

Without directly naming the U.S. and Israel, Lin said Beijing “expects the state with significant influence to play a positive role on the party concerned, including by using all necessary and effective means at their disposal to support the implementation of the resolution.”

The Council “must continue to follow closely the situation in Gaza and get ready for further actions when necessary to ensure the timely and full implementation of the resolution,” said Lin.

“China will continue to make unremitting efforts together with all parties to bring an early end to the fighting in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, and implement the two-state solution,” he added.