Xi calls for immediate cease-fire in Gaza

At BRICS extraordinary virtual summit, he stresses need for two-state solution

President Xi Jinping called on Tuesday for a cessation of hostilities and an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, and for working toward realizing lasting peace and sustainable security in the Middle East.

Xi made the remarks during the BRICS extraordinary virtual summit on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, in which he participated from Beijing by video link. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, as rotating chair of the BRICS group of nations, hosted the meeting.

The meeting came as the conflict in Gaza is raging on into its second month. More than 14,400 people, including women and children, were reported to have been killed in the conflict since it started on Oct 7.