BEIJING, Feb 13, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - China on Tuesday urged Israel to stop its military operation in the Gazan city of Rafah "as soon as possible", warning of a "serious humanitarian disaster" there if fighting did not stop.

"China... opposes and condemns actions that harm civilians and violate international law," a foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement, adding it urged Israel to "stop its military operation as soon as possible, make every effort to avoid innocent civilian casualties... to prevent a more serious humanitarian disaster in the Rafah area".