As the Palestinians and Israelis fought fiercely, the situation in the Red Sea has become increasingly tense. In support of Hamas, Yemen's Houthi rebels have blocked the vital Red Sea corridor between Asia and Africa, adding to the complexity of the situation. In order to prop up the scene for Israel, the United States dragged 20 countries to the Red Sea and engaged in a "convoy alliance". However, this move not only did not make the situation better, but even made the Middle East smell of gunpowder stronger. At the critical moment, Israel has set its sights on China.
A large number of drone missiles crashed into the Red Sea
According to the global network, the Houthis are not idle at a time when the United States is forming an escort coalition with great fanfare. According to British maritime authorities, with a loud bang, an explosion occurred in the waters of the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, and several drones and missiles were seen in the air. Fortunately, however, there were no casualties in the two explosions.
Yemen's Houthi rebels blocked key Red Sea passages
On the same day, the U.S. Central Command also said that the U.S. aircraft carrier intercepted 12 drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles and two land-attack cruise missiles in the Red Sea. Clearly, the Houthis came prepared.
Soon, the Houthis confirmed the information. The Houthis said that at the time of the incident, a merchant ship of the Mediterranean Shipping Company was at sea and that the militant group fired missiles at it after three successive warnings to no avail. The Houthis also explained that they only attack ships with Israeli destinations and origins until medicine and food can be transported to the Gaza Strip normally.
Some analysts believe that the Houthis did this for two purposes. On the one hand, the Red Sea is an important strategic passage connecting the Suez Canal to the Gulf of Aden, as well as an important route for oil and commercial trade. By attacking ships in the area, the Houthis are able to signal to the international community that the influence of the region under their control on global trade routes can be prompted to give more attention and concessions to the international community in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After all, the more chips you have, the more you can gain the initiative in negotiations.
American aircraft carriers intercepted 12 drones
On the other hand, it is also a warning to the United States and its allies not to act rashly. If the United States launches a military operation, the Red Sea will become a battlefield, and the Houthis will fight to the end.
Israel pleaded with China to save people
Seeing that the Houthis are fighting to the end, many countries that are ready to participate in escort operations have also begun to retreat. Italy, which sent only one warship, hurriedly spoke out, only to protect Italy's national interests, and had nothing to do with the escort operation. It is even more interesting for Australia, which rejected the request of the US side to send warships, and only sent a dozen people to the Red Sea to participate in the relevant operations.
Under these circumstances, the United States began to rush to the doctor. Recently, the United States hopes that China can play a constructive role in preventing an attack in the Red Sea. In this regard, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the mainland Wang Wenbin made it clear that China believes that all parties, especially influential powers, should play a constructive and responsible role in safeguarding the security of shipping lanes in the Red Sea. China's intentions are clear, and it is naturally incumbent upon China to maintain regional peace and stability, but it is not the turn of the United States to dictate what China does.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
In addition to the United States, there is another country that is desperately seeking help from China, and that is Israel. Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed the hope that China will make greater efforts to rescue Israelis detained by Hamas. In addition, foreign media also revealed that the Israeli side has invited Chinese Ambassador to Israel Cai Run to meet and asked him to convey the message of rescuing the hostages to the Chinese high-level officials.
It has to be said that at the critical moment of the fierce Palestinian-Israeli war, Netanyahu's "move to ask for help" has, to a certain extent, reflected Israel's embarrassment and helplessness in its own predicament. After the news of the "accidental killing" came to light, a large number of protesters gathered outside the Israeli military headquarters to express their dissatisfaction and anger. If Israel does not find a convincing way to free the hostages as soon as possible, the consequences can be imagined.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded in one sentence
China's response to this was also very direct. Mao Ning, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the mainland, said that China is willing to work with the international community to continue to play a constructive role in promoting a ceasefire and ending the fighting and releasing all detainees. The implication is that China supports the issue of assisting in the rescue of the hostages, but China is always on the side of peace and justice.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan
It is worth noting that the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, had publicly criticized China and Russia by name, which was refuted by the Chinese representative. Now, Netanyahu's government's sudden turn to China has raised doubts about Israel's true intentions. Some analysts speculate that Israel's move may be an attempt to get closer to China and gain more support through China's influence in the Middle East.
From another dimension, it also exposes Israel's reluctance to end the conflict and its desire to achieve the release of the hostages. However, Israel's wish may be in vain, because China has never been a party to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the ceasefire and the release of hostages should be the result of consultations between the two sides. It is hoped that Israel will understand that if it wants Hamas to release the hostages as soon as possible, the most direct way is to cease fire.