UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council expressed concern at the escalation of violence in the Gaza conflict after meeting on Sunday to discuss almost two weeks of fighting between Israel and the Islamist Hamas group that has cost more than 400 lives. "The members of the Security Council expressed serious concern about the growing number of casualties. The members of the Security Council called for an immediate cessation of hostilities," Rwandan U.N. Ambassador Eugene Gasana told reporters after an emergency meeting of the 15-member council.
Jordan had requested the meeting after more than 60 Palestinians and 13 Israeli soldiers were killed as Israel shelled Gaza's Shejaia neighbourhood and battled militants in the bloodiest fighting in the 13-day offensive.