China's Middle East envoy to visit region next week, push peace talks

Zhai Jun, China's envoy to the Middle East, will travel to the region next week to push for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine war, according to Beijing's state broadcaster CCTV.

Zhai “will visit the Middle East next week to coordinate with various parties for a ceasefire, to protect civilians, ease the situation, and promote peace talks,” the network said in a video published on Sunday.

The US has stated its ironclad backing of Israel's response to last week's Palestinian attacks on southern Israel, as the country imposes a full siege and cuts off electricity and water to Gaza.

However, other countries around the world are pushing for peace. Russia has asked the UN Security Council to vote Monday on a draft resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. Mexico and Ukraine on Saturday separately urged Israel to open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza.