China was "worried and concerned" over the tension between Israel and Palestine, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu Thursday.

During a routine press release, Jiang said China was deep concerned over the worsening of Palestine's humanitarian situation, urging Israel to lift its blockade against Palestine and to cease the military actions immediately.

She also called the Palestinian side to release the hostage as early as possible to create favorable conditions to settle the ongoing military conflicts.

Jiang said international community should try to ease the tension and push the two sides to come back to the negotiating table to solve the issue through dialogue and negotiation.

Palestinian militants kidnapped the 19-year-old Corporal Gilad Shalit on June 25 during a deadly attack on an Israeli army post near the Gaza border, sparking the latest crisis between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Israel launched the operation of "Summer Rain" on June 28 after two days of unfruitful international mediation over the release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

In the wake of the raid, Israeli troops entered the Gaza Strip in the largest incursion into the coastal area since Israel pulled out forces and settlers last summer following a 38-year occupation.

Israel had closed Gaza's borders and sent tanks, troops, gunboats and aircraft to raid the Gaza Strip over the past days in a bid to press Palestinian militants to free a captured Israeli soldier.

The Palestinian militants have demanded that Israel release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the soldier and set Tuesday as the deadline.

However, Israel has rejected the ultimatum, saying it would not give in to blackmails.

Source: Xinhua