Beijing, Oct 23 (EFE).- China said Wednesday it was concerned about the escalation of violence in the Middle East after the Israeli army confirmed the death of Hashem Safi al Din, alleged successor to the also assassinated Hassan Nasrallah at the head of Hezbollah.
“China is deeply concerned about the current escalation of violence in the Middle East and opposes violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press conference.
The spokesman added that “China opposes any measure that escalates regional tensions,” and that Beijing hopes the parties involved in the conflict “return to the path of a political solution as soon as possible.”
“They must resolve their differences through communication and dialogue so that the situation cools down as soon as possible,” he said.
Avichay Adraee, Israeli army spokesman, confirmed Tuesday night the death of Safi al Din, whom Israel considered to be the head of the executive council of Hezbollah and who was also Nasrallah’s cousin.
The army also announced the death of Ali Hussein Hazima, commander of Hezbollah’s intelligence cell.
Since Israel launched its ground offensive in southern Lebanon in the early hours of Oct. 1, at least 2,483 people have died and Israel claims that more than 1,500 are militants.
Until the escalation of the conflict and the beginning of the exchange of fire on the border on Oct. 8, 52 people had died in Israel – half of them civilians – while in Lebanon there were more than 700, of whom more than 400 were Hezbollah fighters, but also a hundred civilians.
China has repeatedly said it is concerned about the situation in the Middle East and its opposition to the violation of the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Lebanon, and also condemned the Israeli attacks against United Nations personnel in the country. EFE
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