ISTANBUL

Expressing “deep concern” over the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Palestine, China has called for an "immediate" cease-fire between the warring parties.

“The most pressing task is to cease fire immediately and protect civilians,” said Zhai Jun, China’s special envoy on the Middle East.

Zhai was speaking to Amal Jadou, Deputy Foreign Minister of Palestine, late Wednesday when the two discussed the latest Palestine-Israel situation, China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“China is deeply saddened by many innocent civilian casualties caused by the current escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict,” Zhai said.

“The international community should earnestly play its role to jointly promote the de-escalation of the situation and provide the Palestinian people with humanitarian assistance,” he said.

Calling for an end to the cycle of conflict, Zhai said: “It is essential to restart talks for peace on the basis of the two-state solution, establish an independent State of Palestine, and realize peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel.”

“China will continue to promote a cease-fire and the end of violence, help relieve the humanitarian crisis, actively advance talks for peace, and play a constructive role in promoting a full, just and lasting settlement of the Palestine question,” he said.

According to China's Foreign Ministry, at least three Chinese nationals were killed, two missing, and several others were injured in the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Palestine.

In a dramatic escalation of Mideast tensions, Israeli forces have launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air, which Hamas said was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

In response to Hamas' actions, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.