Israel criticized over attacks

China's envoy to the United Nations on Thursday urged Israel to stop "violating Lebanon's sovereignty" and avoid actions that "could lead to another catastrophe".

"China urges Israel to abandon its obsession with the use of force, dispel the myth of complete military victory, immediately halt military operations in Gaza, stop actions that violate Lebanon's sovereignty and security, and cease risky moves that could drag the region into another catastrophe," said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

He told a UN Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, that the situation between Lebanon and Israel is "on the verge of erupting, putting peace and stability in the Middle East at serious risk".

Israeli warplanes on Thursday carried out approximately 60 airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in southern and eastern Lebanon in one of the most intense bombardments within a year of intensified conflict, according to Lebanese officials.

Israeli fighter jets appeared while Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was delivering a speech, vowing that "retribution will come" to Israel for two consecutive days of deadly explosions of pagers and communication devices across Lebanon that Hezbollah claimed were carried out by Israel.

The explosions resulted in at least 37 fatalities and 2,931 injuries. Israel has not directly claimed responsibility for the operation.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply alarmed" by reports that a large number of communication devices exploded in Lebanon and Syria over the past two days, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

The UN General Assembly, by an overwhelming margin, on Wednesday passed a nonbinding resolution demanding an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory within the next 12 months.

The resolution calls for Israel to end its "illegal occupation". It urges all parties to stop supplying weapons that support Israel's occupation. The resolution reaffirms the need to uphold the rule of international law, said Geng.

The resolution "reflects the broad consensus of the international community in pushing for a resolution to the Palestinian issue, as well as the firm determination to uphold justice and achieve peace in the Middle East", said Geng, adding that the Security Council should heed the calls of the international community and respond effectively to its concerns.

"Unfortunately, due to the negative stance of certain countries, the Security Council has been unable to take strong action to resolve the Palestinian issue, particularly in stopping the Gaza conflict that has lasted nearly a year," he said.

Geng noted that more than three months ago, the US pushed for the adoption of Resolution 2735 by the Security Council and said Israel had agreed to a cease-fire. "However, the situation on the ground tells a different story. Over the past three months, we have seen Israel's increasingly intensified military actions, increasing negotiation conditions and escalating provocations," said Geng.

"It is urgent to achieve a permanent cease-fire and alleviate the humanitarian disaster, but the United States has repeatedly asked for more time and patience for diplomatic efforts. However, the civilians in Gaza are paying for more time and patience with their lives and suffering," he said.

He said China supports the Security Council in "utilizing all available tools to promote the implementation of relevant resolutions and to take timely actions aimed at ending the conflict, alleviating the humanitarian crisis, and advancing peace in the Middle East as soon as possible".