"The parties to the conflict, especially Israel, should cease hostilities as soon as possible to prevent cyclical escalation and resolutely avoid the spread of war," Xi said during his conversation with Vladimir Putin, according to China's state news agency Xinhua.

This is a reaction to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, where on Thursday morning alone  Iran sent missiles at Israel , which fell on a hospital in Beersheba.

The conflict escalated on June 13 when Israeli authorities carried out a series of attacks on Iran, claiming they were targeting nuclear and military facilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the time that Tehran had enough enriched uranium to build nine nuclear bombs. Iran called the attack a"declaration of war."

After Vladimir Putin's conversation with the Chinese leader - as described by AFP - a declaration was also made regarding the Russian president's visit to China. As the Kremlin reported, Putin will visit China this year to take part in a regional summit, talks with leader Xi Jinping and celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia.

Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin would attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, a regional forum to be held from August 31 to September 1.

Putin and Xi will hold bilateral talks on September 2. The Russian leader will then travel to Beijing.

Xi was the guest of honor at a grand military parade in Moscow on May 9, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in Europe.

Putin and Xi - who often address each other as"dear friend" - have deepened their relationship in the wake of Russia's three-year offensive in Ukraine.

The two countries signed a"no-holds-barred" strategic partnership just days before Russia launches a full-scale military campaign in February 2022.

Both Russia and China have been accused by critics of  distorting the history of World War II  and using the conflict to justify their expansionist foreign policies.