China tells Israel to stop 'forced establishment' of West Bank settlements

Key Points:

• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Israel to halt the "forced establishment" of settlements in the West Bank and reverse its actions, calling the Palestinian issue "the greatest historical injustice of this century."
• China has long supported the Palestinian cause and advocates for a two-state solution, positioning itself as a mediator in Middle East conflicts, including brokering a 2023 deal to restore Iran-Saudi ties and proposing ceasefires in the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
• Wang emphasized the urgent need to fully open access to Gaza to prevent a worsening humanitarian crisis and expressed China's willingness to work with the international community to promote dialogue and seek a political resolution.
• Israeli President Isaac Herzog highlighted Israel's desire for peace and security concerns, particularly regarding Iran and its proxies, while China maintains close ties with Iran and is its largest oil buyer despite US sanctions.
• Despite a ceasefire initiated in October 2025, Gaza continues to face frequent Israeli strikes, displacement, and food insecurity, with over 1,400 Palestinians killed in the past year according to Hamas-run health authorities.