Live. Israel Hamas war: UK PM in Tel Aviv, intense airstrikes hit Gaza, Egypt's Rafah crossing to open

China's leader Xi Jinping has called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, saying that Beijing was willing to help find a "comprehensive, just and lasting solution" to the conflict that followed the Palestinian militant group's attack on 7 October.

Xi, who has not directly condemned Hamas' attack on Israel, made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing on Thursday with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly of Egypt.

He said that it was "crucial to prevent the conflict from expanding or even losing control."

The UN's Mideast envoy has warned that the chance of the Israel Hamas war expanding is “very real and extremely dangerous.”

Tor Wennesland told the UN Security Council that recent events “have served to reignite grievances and re-animate alliances across the region.”

Meanwhile, UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths told the council that the deadly destruction of a hospital has heaped further pressure on Gaza’s crumbling health system, depriving the territory of a facility that cared for 45,000 patients every year.

Speaking in a video briefing from Qatar, Griffiths also said the Al Ahli hospital was previously struck on 14 October. 

He also said the death toll in the 11 days since Hamas' surprise attack inside Israel has already exceeded what was seen during seven weeks of Israeli-Hamas hostilities in 2014.

Israel's military has just said at least 203 people are being held hostage in Gaza, following Hamas' surprise attack on 7 October. 

Previous estimates had put the number of those kidnapped and held captive at 199.

The hostages include children, festival-goers, peace activists, elderly people and soldiers. 

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has arrived in Israel on a two-day diplomatic trip to the region to try and stop the