ISLAMABAD: Media reports indicate that amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, China has dispatched six warships to the Middle East.
The 44th naval escort task force of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently conducted routine operations in the region and spent several days in Oman. After participating in an exercise with the Omani navy, the Chinese warships left Muscat for an undisclosed location on Saturday.
The task force consists of the Zibo, a guided missile destroyer, the frigate Jingzhou, and the supply ship Qiandaohu, all stationed in the Middle East as Israel prepares for a ground invasion of Gaza.
For the past six months, this PLA task force has been primarily engaged in escort missions for shipping in the Gulf of Aden north of Somalia.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of a two-state solution to establish an independent Palestine as a means to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict. He called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further escalation and a humanitarian crisis.
According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, Xi said: “The top priority now is a ceasefire as soon as possible, to avoid the conflict from expanding or even spiraling out of control and causing a serious humanitarian crisis.”
China’s deployment follows the recent shipment of a substantial arsenal to the Middle East by the United States earlier this week.
The Pentagon has placed approximately 2,000 Army and Air Force personnel, along with various units, on a heightened state of readiness as Israel prepares for an action against Hamas.
Notably, the U.S. has also increased its military presence in the Middle East in response to the situation, deploying personnel, aircraft carriers, and fighter jets to support Israel as it prepares for action against Hamas.
The United States has further deployed additional planes to its military bases in the region, which includes the activation of F-15 and F-16 fighter jet squadrons.
