New york: China launched a broadside attack against acts that target children in conflict zones as the US first lady Melania Trump presided over a session of the UN Security Council in New York, amid regional escalation in the Middle East which left dozens of girl students dead in Iran.
According to Anadolu Agency, the sitting of the top UN body came two days after US-Israeli airstrikes killed dozens of students in the southern Iranian city of Minab, as per Tehran's reports. This marks the first time that any first lady has chaired a Security Council session, which focused on 'Children, Technology, and Education in Conflict.'
Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong emphasized China's strong condemnation of all acts targeting children, urging all parties involved in conflicts to adhere to international humanitarian laws to protect children and uphold basic human conscience. He highlighted that attacks on schools are among the six most serious crimes against children recognized by the United Nations and should be severely condemned and resisted.
While Fu refrained from directly mentioning the US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and 786 others, including 163 girl students, he called for accountability for those responsible for harming children or damaging schools. Fu also urged the international community to work collaboratively to address the educational challenges faced by children in conflict zones.
Focusing on the situation in the Gaza Strip, Fu urged all parties to prioritize the interests and well-being of Palestinian civilians. He highlighted the devastating impact of the Gaza conflict on Palestinian children and called on Israel to adhere to ceasefire agreements, lift humanitarian access restrictions, and alleviate the suffering of children.
Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani criticized Washington's actions as 'deeply shameful and hypocritical,' given the concurrent military strikes on Iran. The regional tensions have intensified since the military campaign initiated by the US and Israel, with Tehran retaliating through drone and missile attacks on US-linked sites in Gulf countries, resulting in multiple fatalities, including six US service members, and injuries to many others.
The conflicts have disrupted air and maritime routes in the region, prompting calls for de-escalation.