Chinese Citizens Killed in Israel-Hamas Fighting Amid Evacuation Appeals

Three Chinese citizens have died in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Beijing's foreign affairs ministry has announced.

"We can confirm that three Chinese nationals were killed in the clashes," said foreign affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin in a press briefing on Thursday. "Two are missing and several are injured."

The ministry did not release further details about the deaths.

Earlier, state media reported that three Chinese nationals had been shot, citing the Israel-China Chamber of Commerce.

Beijing has also announced that local diplomatic missions are making efforts to evacuate its citizens stuck in the region, but reports are emerging on social media that citizens are complaining about not receiving help to leave.

State-owned newspaper Wen Wei Po reported, citing the Chamber of Commerce, that a 35-year-old Chinese worker named Zou from Jiangsu was killed by a gunman while driving a car with two colleagues. The report added that two of the four Chinese nationals missing in the region had been killed. The reports shared by Hong Kong outlets spread on Chinese social media.

On Monday, community-led Facebook page Chinatown Israel posted details about five Chinese workers missing in southern Israel. Their conditions remain unclear.

Some Chinese nationals stuck in Israel have complained about not receiving help from the Chinese diplomatic mission to leave the conflict zone. Chinese nationals who remain stranded in Israel because of flight cancellations contacted their local diplomatic mission but were told to arrange the flights on their own.

"Effective measures are taken to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions," the foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Despite flight cancellations, some other countries have evacuated their citizens, while others have launched plans to bring back their citizens. Beijing still needs to publish plans to evacuate its citizens via its local mission.

A group of 20 Hong Kong residents, part of a tour group, are said to be on their way back to the city.

At the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Beijing was criticized for mismanagement of the evacuation of its citizens.

On Wednesday, China's special envoy to the Middle East held a phone call with Amal Jadou, the first deputy minister of Palestinian foreign affairs.

"The top priority now is an immediate ceasefire and protection of civilians," said Zhai Jun, China's special envoy for Middle East affairs.

"China will continue to promote a ceasefire to end the violence, help to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, actively encourage peace and promote talks, and play a constructive role in promoting a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine," said Zhai.

As of Thursday, at least 1,200 people had been killed in Israel, the Associated Press reported, citing the Israeli military. At least 1,200 people had been killed in Gaza, according to authorities there, the AP said.

Update 10/12/23, 9:54 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.