The U.N. Security Council expressed on Saturday serious concern about the welfare and protection of civilians, calling for a ceasefire in hostilities between Palestinians and Israelis.
The U.N. Security Council expressed on Saturday serious concern about the welfare and protection of civilians, calling for a ceasefire in hostilities between Palestinians and Israelis.
"The Security Council members called for de-escalation of the situation, restoration of calm, and reinstitution of the November 2012 ceasefire," the 15-member body said in a statement.
It also expressed "serious concern regarding the crisis related to Gaza and the protection and welfare of civilians on both sides" and called for respect for international humanitarian law.
The Zionist entity rushed an eighth missile interceptor battery into service on Saturday to counter stronger-than-expected rocket fire from Gaza as the military pounded civilian and governmental buildings in the Palestinian enclave for a sixth day.
The United States and Jordan were unable to reach agreement on a Security Council statement on the crisis earlier this week, diplomats said. Council statements have to be agreed by consensus.
Palestinian U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour accused the council of dragging its feet and said Saturday's statement had only been agreed after the Arab Group, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement threatened to push for a resolution on the issue.
The Security Council statement also expressed "support for the resumption of direct negotiations between the Zionists and Palestinians with the aim of achieving a comprehensive peace agreement based on the two-state solution".
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Saturday he would discuss with U.S., German and French foreign ministers the need for a ceasefire between the Palestinians and Zionist occupation authorities when they meet on Sunday for talks on Iran's nuclear program.
The ministers are due to hold talks on Sunday afternoon in Vienna to take stock of negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program ahead of a self-imposed July 20 deadline to secure a deal.
