People are seen near destroyed buildings in the central Gaza Strip, on March 25, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

A Chinese envoy on Monday called for the implementation of the just-adopted Security Council resolution that demands an immediate cease-fire in Gaza for the holy month of Ramadan.

Nearly six months after the outbreak of the conflict, over 32,000 Palestinian civilians have lost their lives. For those, Monday's resolution comes too late. But for the millions of people in Gaza who remain mired in an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, this resolution, if fully and effectively implemented, could still bring long-awaited hope, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

"Security Council resolutions are binding. We call on the parties concerned to fulfill their obligations under the UN Charter and to take due action as required by the resolution," he said. "We expect the states with significant influence to play a positive role on the parties concerned, including by using all necessary and effective means at their disposal to support the implementation of the resolution."

All harm against civilians must cease immediately and the offensive on Gaza must stop at once. A cease-fire for the month of Ramadan is only the first step. It must serve as a basis for a permanent and sustainable cessation of hostilities, said the Chinese ambassador in an explanation of vote.

At the same time, the blockade of Gaza and the man-made barriers to access of humanitarian supplies must be lifted immediately to ensure that humanitarian supplies can enter Gaza in sufficient quantities expeditiously to reach people in need in a safe and timely manner, said Zhang.

Israel must fully cooperate to open Rafah and other land crossings. The UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, is indispensable and irreplaceable for the people of Gaza to receive international humanitarian assistance, he said. "We urge all parties to fully restore funding to UNRWA as soon as possible. We categorically reject Israel's recent vicious campaign of attacks against UNRWA and the UN system as a whole."

The Security Council must continue to follow closely the situation in Gaza and get ready for further action when necessary to ensure the timely and full implementation of the resolution, said Zhang.

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 said.

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