UN plea for Gaza ceasefire

The UN Security Council today expressed serious concern at the escalating situation in Gaza and called on Israel and the Palestinians to immediately halt all violence.

Libya, on behalf of Arab nations, called the late night council meeting after Israeli warplanes rained more than 100 tons of bombs on security sites in Gaza on Saturday and today, killing at least 230 people. Israel said the bombardment - one of the Middle East’s bloodiest assaults in decades – was aimed at stopping rocket attacks from Gaza that have traumatised southern Israel.