China's Middle East envoy Sun Bigan said yesterday that it is
still possible to peacefully settle the Palestine-Israel hostage
crisis.
"There is a glimmer of hope for the hostage issue to be tackled
peacefully as long as the hostage is alive," said Sun while giving
a briefing on his just-concluded visits to Egypt, Jordan, Israel
and Palestine.
"Attempting to resolve the crisis through military attacks will
never work," said Sun, who took the post of the envoy on April
1.
China opposes kidnapping and assassination, he said. "China has
urged Palestine to ensure the safety of the hostage and release him
as soon as possible."
During his trip Sun also urged Israel to exercise calm and
restraint and not to escalate the situation.
Palestinian militants kidnapped 19-year-old Corporal Gilad
Shalit on June 25 during a deadly attack on an Israeli army post
near the Gaza border, sparking the latest crisis between the two
sides.
Israel launched operation "Summer Rain" on June 28 after two
days of international mediation failed to secure the release of
Cpl. Shalit.
In the wake of the raid, Israeli troops entered the Gaza Strip
in the largest incursion into the coastal area since Israel pulled
out forces and settlers last summer following a 38-year
occupation.
Israel had closed Gaza's borders and sent tanks, troops and
aircraft to the Gaza Strip over the past few days in a bid to press
Palestinian militants to free the Israeli soldier.
The Palestinian militants have demanded that Israel release
Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the soldier. They have set
Tuesday as the deadline.
Israel has rejected the ultimatum, saying it would not give in
to blackmail.
(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2006)