BEIJING, July 2 -- China on Wednesday urged Palestine and Israel to maintain calm and restraint.

At a daily press briefing, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei expressed worry about escalation of the situation after Israeli aircraft bombed the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Tuesday.

"We once again urge the relevant parties to maintain maximum calm and restraint and prevent the situation from further tensions and escalation," Hong said.

Israel held Hamas responsible for killing three Israeli teens who were kidnapped near Hebron in the West Bank two weeks ago. It is conducting a massive manhunt for the killers in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military on Monday hit 34 targets in the Gaza Strip that were associated with Hamas and the Islamic Jihad movements.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday evening that Israel will expand its operation against Hamas "if necessary."