The UN Security Council held an open meeting on the issue of Palestine and Israel, expressing concern regarding the safety of more than 50 people held captive by Hamas in Gaza.

Geng Shuang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN, expressed hope that all those held captive would be released soon, and urged Israel and Palestine to immediately and permanently cease hostilities and to support a "two-state solution."

China believes that it sincerely hopes that all those held captive will be treated kindly and released as soon as possible to reunite with their families. It also hopes that they will soon recover from the injuries caused by this tragedy.

CMG