China says it is ‘shocked’ by Gaza aid stampede, urges ‘relevant parties’ to protect civilians

China says it “strongly condemns” the incident in Gaza City in which dozens of Palestinians were killed as they swarmed a convoy of aid trucks yesterday morning.

“China is shocked by this incident and strongly condemns it,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning says.

“We express our grief for the victims and our sympathies for the injured.”

Hamas blamed the IDF for the deaths, but the military has said most of the casualties were caused by a stampede and people being run over by the supply vehicles. Gunmen also opened fire in the area as they looted the supplies.

The army also said it did not fire at the crowd rushing the main aid convoy but acknowledged that troops opened fire on several Gazans who moved toward soldiers and a tank at an IDF checkpoint, endangering soldiers.

“China urges the relevant parties, especially Israel, to cease fire and end the fighting immediately, earnestly protect civilians’ safety, ensure that humanitarian aid can enter, and avoid an even more serious humanitarian disaster,” Mao says.