China has called on Israel to put an end to its airstrikes on the Gaza Strip after the Israeli premier vowed that the besieged enclave would be pounded ‘as long as necessary.’

"China is concerned about the escalation of the situation in Gaza," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Weimin said in a press briefing on Monday.

"We call upon the Israeli side to stop air raids against Gaza. We hope parties concerned can stop firing immediately in order to avoid casualties of innocent civilians."

China’s reaction to Israel’s offensive against the blockaded region of Gaza coincided with a fresh wave of Israeli air raids on the impoverished area on Monday.

The raids claimed the lives of three more Palestinians, including a 15-year-old teenager, bringing the number of casualties to 21. Nearly 40 people were also injured in the Monday attack.

Benjamin Netanyahu warned a day earlier that Israel would continue its offensive against the blockaded enclave as long as it deems “necessary.”

The attacks began on Friday when Israeli jets launched air raids on the Gaza Strip, killing Zuheir al-Qessi, the head of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) and fellow-member Mahmud Hanani.

Israeli warplanes and ground forces have frequently attacked Gaza since the end of the 22-day war on the territory in 2009. Most victims of the raids are civilians, including women and children.

(Press TV)