China on Monday expressed deep concern about the escalating tensions in the Middle East and called on all relevant parties to exercise maximum restraint and calm, as Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue Zhai Jun met with Ambassador of Israel to China Irit Ben-Abba Vitale.

Zhai elaborated China's principled position on the Gaza conflict, saying bloodshed and conflict do not serve the interests of any party and the immediate priority is for the Gaza Strip to cease fire, ensure humanitarian assistance and promptly release all detained individuals.

The Palestinian issue should achieve a political settlement on the basis of the two-state solution, thereby realizing peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine.

The Israeli ambassador briefed the situation of Iran's military strikes against Israel on Sunday and expressed Israel's position and concerns regarding the Gaza conflict and other issues.