China calls on Palestine and Israel to immediately end hostilities to protect civilians

(ECNS) -- China is deeply concerned over the current escalation of tensions and violence between Palestine and Israel, and calls on relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint and immediately end the hostilities to protect civilians and avoid further deterioration of the situation, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

Fierce conflict has broken out between Israel and Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip, causing massive casualties on both sides.

“The recurrence of the conflict shows once again that the protracted standstill of the peace process cannot go on,” the spokesperson said when answering a relevant query, adding that

the fundamental way out of the conflict lies in implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent State of Palestine.

The spokesperson added that the international community needs to act with greater urgency, step up input into the Palestine question, facilitate the early resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel, and find a way to bring about enduring peace.

“China will continue to work relentlessly with the international community towards that end,” the spokesperson said.