BEIJING, December 8. /TASS/. China welcomes UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' efforts to mediate a truce in the Middle East region, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Friday.

"The current round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has led to a serious humanitarian catastrophe," Wang said, addressing a daily news briefing. "Secretary General Guterres' call reflects the strong concern from the international community regarding the grave situation in Gaza."

"China supports the mediatory efforts by the UN secretary general and the UN Secretariat," the Chinese diplomat added.

According to him, Beijing would continue strengthening coordination with all parties involved and play a constructive role to reduce tensions in the Middle East.

Wang added that the United Nations Security Council should listen to the previously voiced opinions on behalf of the global community and take timely steps in order to stop the fighting, protect civilians and alleviate the humanitarian situation.

UN chief Guterres stated earlier in the week that a humanitarian ceasefire must be established in order to save lives and safely deliver timely humanitarian aid.

According to the Secretary General’s office, for the first time ever, Guterres sent a letter to the UN Security Council chair, invoking Article 99, which says that the Secretary General may "bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security."

On December 7, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen criticized the letter from UN chief Guterres to the UN Security Council. According to Cohen, Guterres’ activity as Secretary General threatens peace on the planet, and his remarks are akin to support for Palestinian radicals from the Hamas movement.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 after militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion into Israeli territory, killing many Israeli kibbutz residents living near the Gaza border and abducting more than 200 Israelis, including women, children and the elderly.

Hamas described its attack as a response to the Israeli authorities’ aggressive actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria, as well as a ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.