"China expresses grave concern over ongoing Israeli military operations in Rafah," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference. "We urge all parties to protect civilians and civilian facilities, and we call on Israel to heed the call of the international community and stop its attacks on Rafah," Mao Ning said. Israel on Tuesday escalated its attacks on the city. The UN Security Council has called an emergency meeting. The renewed bombardment comes after international condemnation of a strike on the area that killed 45 people and wounded 249 on Sunday night, according to Gaza's health ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed regret over "the tragic incident." The Israeli military has said it is investigating the civilian deaths after initially saying it had targeted two senior Hamas figures with "precise munitions." "China's position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is consistent and clear. We oppose any violation of international law, including international humanitarian law," Mao Ning said. "The international community should work together to ease and end the humanitarian disaster in Gaza," he said. China has good relations with Israel but has also been a supporter of the Palestinian cause for decades. Beijing has traditionally called for a two-state solution, while the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has been at a standstill since 2014. Read Also: UN Security Council meets urgently after attack in Rafah (Portuguese version)