BEIJING, July 15  -- China's Special Envoy to the Middle East Wu Sike will visit Palestine, Israel and some other Middle East countries on July 15 and 26 in a bid to ease tensions in the region, a Foreign Ministry spokesman announced on Tuesday.

China is willing to make joint efforts with the international community toward a ceasefire between Palestine and Israel as soon as possible, and seek solutions to disputes via political measures in a peaceful way, Hong Lei said.

China would like to play a positive and constructive role for the early realization of Palestine-Israel peace, he added.

Last Tuesday, Israel began Operation Protective Edge in order to stop rocket attacks from Gaza.

So far, the strikes have killed at least 167 Palestinians and wounded more than 780, according to reports. The United Nations estimates that about 80 percent of the casualties were civilians.