China renews calls for ceasefire

China has renewed its call to the Israeli government and Hamas to cease fire in the Gaza Strip as the civilian death toll rose to more than 500 following Tel Aviv's ground offensive.

The escalating violence in Gaza is a cause of great worry for China, President Hu Jintao said yesterday over the phone with his US counterpart George W. Bush.

China urges both sides to immediately stop military action to prevent civilian casualties and take steps to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, he said.