China's envoy to the United Nations on Thursday "strongly condemned" Israel's large-scale military operation in the northern West Bank, one of the largest assaults in the Israeli-occupied territory for months.

Israel launched a large-scale raid across the northern West Bank early Wednesday. The Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed that 16 people have been killed in the raids. "China strongly condemns it," said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz posted on social media platform X on Wednesday, describing the large-scale operation as part of a "full-fledged war". He compared the situation to the Gaza Strip, saying that "we need to address the (terror) threat exactly as we deal with terror infrastructure in Gaza, including the temporary evacuation of Palestinian civilians and any other step needed."

Deeply concerned

Geng said China is "shocked and deeply concerned by such outrageous statements". "Gaza has already become a living hell. We must not allow the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza to be repeated in the West Bank, turning it into another living hell," he said at a Security Council meeting on the Palestinian question.

"China opposes any actions or rhetoric that escalate tensions and condemns all attacks against civilians. We call on all parties, particularly Israel, to remain calm and exercise restraint to prevent further escalation of the situation," Geng emphasized.

In the West Bank, Israel continues to violate international law and Security Council resolutions by expanding settlements and intensifying searches, arrests and attacks against Palestinians. Since October last year, more than 620 Palestinians have lost their lives in the region, said Geng.

On Wednesday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also urged Israel to halt its military operation in the West Bank immediately.