UN Security Council to meet Tuesday on Israel, Gaza

WASHINGTON

The UN Security Council will convene for a fourth time to discuss Israel's continued offensive on the Gaza Strip, Norway's UN mission announced on Monday.

Tuesday's meeting comes at the request of Norway, China and Tunisia as "the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. Innocent civilians continue being killed&injured," the mission said on Twitter.

"We repeat: Stop the fire. End hostilities now," the mission added.

Earlier efforts to issue a statement from the council demanding an immediate ceasefire have all been blocked by the US.

The death toll from Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza reached 212 on Monday, according to the Gaza-based Palestinian Health Ministry. The grim figure includes 61 children, 35 women and 16 elderly people, the ministry said in a statement, while 1,400 people have been injured during the offensive.

The Israeli military has staged airstrikes across the Gaza Strip since May 10, leaving behind a massive trail of destruction across the seaside territory, including the leveling of several multi-story buildings.

Ten Israelis have also been killed in Palestinian rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into Israel.

The UN estimates some 38,000 Palestinians have sought shelter at dozens of UN schools across the Gaza Strip after being displaced by Israel’s continued attacks. Over 2,500 people have been made homeless after their houses were destroyed by Israeli strikes, according to the UN.