China Sends Warships to the Middle East Amidst Escalating Conflict between Israel and Hamas
The Chinese military has dispatched six warships to the Middle East in response to growing concerns that the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas could ignite World War III. The “Daily Express” website reported late last night that this deployment marks the 44th task force from the Navy of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) operating in the region.
The task force, which spent several days in Oman last week, includes the Zibo, a guided missile destroyer, the Jingzhou frigate, and the Qiandaohu supply ship. These vessels will be stationed in the Middle East as Israel reportedly prepares for a ground invasion of Gaza.
During their visit to Oman, Chinese commanders held meetings with local military officials and visited military institutions. Both Chinese and Omani sailors also had the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges, with joint activities such as visiting shops and even participating in a joint basketball game taking place, according to China’s state news agency.
Chinese President Xi Jinping weighed in on the conflict on Thursday, advocating for a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as the “basic way out” of the war. In a broadcast on China’s state-run CCTV channel, President Jinping emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and a possible humanitarian crisis.
China’s decision to send warships comes shortly after the United States announced that it had deployed a powerful arsenal to the Middle East earlier this week. The presence of American forces, combined with China’s military intervention, highlights the increasing international concern over the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
As tensions continue to rise, the international community anxiously watches for any further developments that could potentially lead to a wider conflict. Both China and the United States have expressed their commitment to deescalating the situation and facilitating a peaceful resolution in the region.
Photo taken by Brian Burnell, Wikimedia, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.