According to the Chinese Ministry of Defense, they’ve deployed up to six Chinese warships to the Middle East in response to the conflict between Israel and the Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip. This move by China is important because tensions in the region are increasing. It’s worth noting that the United States has also increased its presence in the area by sending its advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and its accompanying battle group to the eastern Mediterranean after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has sent six warships to the Middle East, including a guided-missile destroyer, amid rising tensions in the region.
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These warships, part of the PLA’s 44th naval escort task force, recently participated in a joint military exercise with Oman. After taking part in a drill with the Omani military, the Chinese warships departed Muscat on Saturday for an undisclosed location. This deployment coincides with the presence of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford and its battle group in the West Asia region.
According to sources, China’s president Xi Jinping stated “a ceasefire as soon as possible, to avoid the conflict from expanding or even spiraling out of control and causing a serious humanitarian crisis,”
Israel’s military has warned that Iran-backed Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, could drag Lebanon into a war, and it reported that anti-tank missiles were fired from Lebanon. Israel’s military is also preparing for the next phase of its campaign in Gaza, which may include a ground invasion against Hamas.
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The conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides. Israeli airstrikes have targeted international airports in Syria’s capital, Damascus, and the northern city of Aleppo, as well as a mosque in the occupied West Bank. Israel claims that the mosque compound belonged to Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants who had carried out attacks and were planning more. Israel maintains that it targets militants and installations, not civilians.
The conflict has led to fatalities, with 4651 Palestinians killed since the war began on October 7, according to the Health Ministry. Most of these deaths occurred during clashes with Israeli forces or violent protests.
