Smoke billows after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on October 10, 2023. Photo: Xinhua

To end the cycle of conflict between Palestine and Israel, there must be a return to the "two-state solution," and resumption of peace talks aimed at establishing an independent state of Palestine to achieve peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel, said Zhai Jun, special envoy of the Chinese government on the Middle East issue, in a phone call with Amal Jadou, first deputy minister of foreign affairs of Palestine, on Wednesday, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

China is deeply saddened by the current escalation of tensions between Palestine and Israel, which has caused a high number of civilian casualties, said Zhai. China has expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Palestine. The priority is to cease fire immediately and protect civilians, Zhai noted.

The international community should earnestly play its role, work together to cool down the situation, and provide humanitarian aid to Palestinian people, Zhai added.

China will continue to promote a ceasefire and cessation of violence, help to ease the humanitarian crisis, and actively promote peace talks, playing a constructive role in promoting a comprehensive, fair, and lasting settlement of the Palestine question.

Jadou expressed appreciation for China's long-standing and just position on the Palestine question and its active efforts to promote peace talks. At present, the humanitarian situation in Palestine is extremely grave. The international community should shoulder its responsibility to promote a ceasefire, restart peace talks and establish an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the two-state solution, said Jadou.

Palestine trusts China and hopes that China will continue to play a constructive role in the current situation, Jadou noted.

Zhai also had a phone call about the Palestine-Israel situation with Assistant Minister of the Palestine Department in the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Osama Khedr on Tuesday.

Global Times