A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Thursday urged Israel to stop its military offensive against Gaza and called for greater international efforts toward a two-state solution, emphasizing its necessity for lasting security of both Palestinians and Israelis. Speaking at a Security Council meeting on Gaza at the UN headquarters, Sun Zhiqiang, counselor of the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations, expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in the Palestinian enclave and the devastating toll of the 15-month conflict, which has left Gaza "unrecognizable" and inflicted "unimaginable" suffering on many people. China sincerely hopes that all that suffering will come to an end, that all hostages and those held captive will be promptly released, and that peace will be restored in Gaza, Sun said. He noted that the situation has taken a turn for the worse as Israel reignited hostilities in Gaza this week, which has led to the collapse of the ceasefire agreement and resulted in more suffering and deaths. The reality has shown that achieving a permanent ceasefire is the best way to save lives and get the hostages home, he said. The Chinese envoy highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, where civilians are forcibly displaced and grappling with shortages of essential supplies. He warned that the Israeli blockade, which has restricted the entry of humanitarian aid, could also deprive the remaining hostages of their needs to survive. Sun urged Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law, immediately lift the blockade, and fully restore access for humanitarian aid into Gaza. He also reiterated China's opposition to any attacks targeting UN personnel and humanitarian workers. Emphasizing the equal value of all lives, Sun reaffirmed China's support for the two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace and security. Shotlist: UN Headquarters, New York City - March 20, 2025: FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - July 24, 2024 1. United Nations (UN) headquarters, national flags; 2. UN flag; UN Headquarters, New York City - March 20, 2025 3. Various of Security Council meeting in progress; 4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Sun Zhiqiang, minister-counselor, Chinese Permanent Mission to United Nations: "We urge Israel to abandon its obsession with the use of force and stop its military operation against Gaza. We hope that the guarantors of the ceasefire agreement will adopt a just and responsible attitude and take actions to promote the continuous implementation of the three-phased ceasefire towards a permanent ceasefire in Gaza."; Gaza Strip - March 18, 2025 5. Various of destroyed buildings, rubble; people walking on rubble; Gaza Strip - March 18, 2025 6. Burnt vehicle, rubble; Deir Al-Balah, Gaza Strip - March 19, 2025 7. Injured person being sent into hospital; Gaza Strip - March 19, 2025 8. Mourning ceremony for airstrike victims in progress; 9. Palestinian child crying for victims; UN Headquarters, New York City - March 20, 2025 10. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Sun Zhiqiang, minister-counselor, Chinese Permanent Mission to United Nations: "The life of every individual is precious. The Palestinian people and the Israeli people have equal rights to survival and development. The decades-long cycles of Palestine-Israel conflict have caused generations on both sides to live under the shadow. Only by fully implementing the two-state solution and achieving the independent statehood of Palestine and achieving peaceful coexistence between the two states of Palestine and Israel, can we ensure the lasting security and well-being of the Palestinians and Israelis."; Gaza Strip - March 19, 2025 19. Various of destroyed buildings, rubble, national flag of Palestine, pedestrians. [Restriction - For news purpose only/No archive/Not for other production use, No access Chinese mainland]