国内英语新闻:China calls for ceasefire to stop civilians' losses in Gaza

AMMAN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- China's special envoy on Middle East Affairs Wu Sike on Sunday called on Israel to immediately stop the military operations against the Gaza Strip and put an end to the blockage it imposes on the coastal enclave.

"We condemn the killing and the targeting of innocent civilians and we urge Israel and all parties involved to immediately cease fire," he told reporters.

Wu, who is on a regional tour that includes Palestine, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and Qatar, voiced China's support to the Egyptian initiative, which seeks to reach a truce between Israel and Hamas.

The solution to the current conditions in Gaza and elsewhere in the region is a political not a military solution, said the Chinese official, stressing China's keenness to continue coordination with Jordan.

"China is exerting its utmost efforts at the regional and international levels to reach a ceasefire and stop the suffering of the civilians," he said.

The Chinese official also called on the Palestinian Authority to urge Hamas to stop firing rockets to Israel.

He said China is coordinating with the Palestinian leadership to send humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to reduce their suffering amidst the Israeli offensive.