Worthy Christian News > World News > China, US Rush War Ships To Mideast As Fears Mount Of Broader Conflict

China, US Rush War Ships To Mideast As Fears Mount Of Broader Conflict

By Worthy News’ George Whitten and Stefan J. Bos

JERUSALEM (Worthy News) — Fears were mounting Sunday that the Israel-Hamas war will grow into a broader armed conflict in the Middle East, centered around the Jewish nation, with the U.S. and its allies on one side and China and its partner Russia on the other.

Backed by Russia, China has been rushing six warships to the Middle East waters as tensions boil over Israel, well-informed sources say.

Communist-run China’s 44th naval escort task force from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre left Oman last week, and it was unclear where they were traveling to next, Worthy News learned.

The heavily equipped ships are in the region as Chinese leader Xi Jinping insisted that a two-state solution was the only way out of the current war between Israel and Hamas.

He said Thursday, “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 warships have already been involved in routine operations in the area and spent several days visiting Oman last week, Chinese sources said.

They are active while the United States, long Israel’s strongest ally, sent a powerful arsenal to the Middle East of its own as Israel’s war against Hamas deepened.

AMERICAN MILITARY

The American military is increasing its firepower in the region, saying it is looking to prevent Iran and other Iran-backed groups from getting involved in the conflict.

The U.S. empire of steel includes a network of bases in the Middle East with 2,000 troops, 2,400 Marines, and 13 warships now on alert, according to the U.S. military.

A few A-10 Warthog and F-15E attack planes arrived in the region last week, with more advanced military aircraft expected to join.

The Pentagon said it is also rushing air defenses and munitions to Israel, as well as an aircraft carrier monster fleet to the eastern Mediterranean.

Another U.S. carrier is set to be sent to the region in the coming days.

The United States has also told some 2,000 troops to be ready to deploy within 24 hours if notified – instead of the usual 96 hours. They could include units that assist medical aid if needed, U.S. officials say.

RESOLUTION FAILED

The growing military activities closer to Israel from the world’s largest competing powers follow tensions in the United Nations Security Council.

Efforts to pass a resolution in response to the Israel-Hamas failed due to disagreements among members, including the U.S., Russia, and China, all of whom wield vetoes.

The United States last week vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have called for “humanitarian pauses” to “deliver lifesaving aid to millions in Gaza,” the U.N. complained in a statement.

“The failure by the Council to make its first public intervention on the Israel-Gaza crisis followed the rejection of a Russian-backed draft on Monday evening.”

However, there were indications that the U.S. didn’t want to slow down Israel in its attempt to crush the Palestinian Hamas group, which both nations designated as a terrorist organization.

As of Saturday, the armed conflict has killed more than 4,000 people in the Gaza Strip and 1,400 people in Israel, different authorities say. At least 32 Americans, 19 Russians, and four Chinese are reportedly among the casualties.

DIFFERENT APPROACH

While President Joe Biden has emphasized U.S. support for Israel, condemning Hamas’s terror attacks launched on October 7 and backing “restrained” retaliation by Israeli forces, Presidents Xi of China and Vladimir Putin of Russia have taken a different approach.

In a broadly similar response, the two leaders condemned attacks on civilians, urged a cease-fire, and offered to mediate while failing to condemn Hamas explicitly.

Pressure on Israel also mounted over the weekend, with Arab leaders “condemning Israel’s bombardment of Gaza” and demanding renewed efforts to end a “decades-long cycle of violence.”

Leaders and top officials made the statement in Cairo as the Egyptian capital hosted more than a dozen countries for the so-called Cairo Summit for Peace.

The gathering included representatives from countries such as Jordan, France, Germany, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Qatar, and South Africa with United Nations and European Union officials.

Israel was not among those attending.