Xi calls for Gaza cease-fire, release of civilians, at BRICS summit
China's leader seeks 'authoritative' peace conference to solve Palestinian question
SHANGHAI/NEW DELHI -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday urged all parties in the Israel-Hamas war to cease fighting and release captured civilians, and he proposed an international conference to promote a lasting peace.
Xi spoke by video link to a summit hosted by South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, the current chair of the BRICS group of nations -- which also includes Brazil, India and Russia.
"It is necessary to ensure the safe and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance and stop the collective punishment against the people of Gaza through forced eviction, as well as turning off water, electricity and oil," Xi said.
China's latest push to assert itself as a peacemaker comes a day after a Saudi-led delegation of foreign ministers from Muslim countries visited Beijing, urging Xi's government to play a greater role in ending the conflict.
Also on Monday, Xi spoke by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron, agreeing that a "two-state solution" is the fundamental way out of the decades-old conflict -- reignited when the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7.
On Tuesday, Xi reiterated calls for restoring the right of the Palestinians to statehood. A more "authoritative" conference should be convened to build an international consensus for a just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question, he said.
Ramaphosa joined Xi in condemning the war, saying both Israel and Hamas have violated international law for the "atrocities" committed.
"The collective punishment of Palestinian civilians through the unlawful use of force by Israel is a war crime," the South Africa president said.
Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza was causing "immense human suffering," including to civilians, the elderly, women and children.
"We welcome all efforts of the international community toward de-escalation," he said, while stressing the "urgent need" to ensure that the humanitarian aid and relief reach the population in Gaza effectively and safely.
"It is also imperative that all hostages are released," he said, citing a universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law.
Israel and Hamas reportedly are discussing a pause in fighting to facilitate the transport of aid into Gaza and possibly swap captives.
The Hamas militants who stormed Israel on Oct. 7 killed an estimated 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostages. Israel's retaliation has killed more than 13,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas health officials.
Despite Beijing's calls for an end to violence, some international observers said China lacks the clout with key conflict stakeholders needed for a breakthrough.
"[I] don't see China as a major player in the conflict and its resolution," said Guy Burton, a visiting fellow at Lancaster University in the U.K. Any cease-fire, Burton added, likely would be arranged through regional states including Qatar, which has ties with Hamas.
Tuesday's summit also was attended by leaders from the incoming members of BRICS: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates.