China expresses 'grave concern' over Rafah strike
China on Tuesday expressed "grave concern" over Israel's military operations in Rafah, where an Israeli strike killed dozens in a displaced persons camp. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning also said China urged "all parties to protect civilians and civilian facilities". Beijing also said it "strongly urges Israel to listen to the appeals of the international community and to stop its attacks on Rafah". China has been calling for an immediate ceasefire since the start of the current Israel-Hamas war in October last year. Additionally, President Xi Jinping has called for an international peace conference to resolve the fighting. The UN Security Council was set to convene an emergency meeting later on Tuesday over Israel's operations in the southern Gaza border city. An Israeli attack targeting two senior Hamas members on Sunday night sparked a fire that ripped through a displacement centre, killing 45, according to Gaza health officials. The attack prompted a wave of international condemnation. Israel said it was looking into the "tragic accident". The war in Gaza began after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing at least 1,200 civilians. Militants also took 252 hostages, 121 of whom remain in Gaza. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 36,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the territory's health ministry run by Hamas. (AFP)