UN calls for immediate cessation of Gaza conflicts

United Nations, July 21: The UN Security Council has called for an "immediate cessation" of conflicts in the Gaza Strip.

Ambassador Eugene-Richard Gasana of Rwanda, this month's president of the Security Council, Sunday said that the council members called for an immediate ceasefire and respect of international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.

"The members of the Security Council called for an immediate cessation of hostilities based on a return to the Nov. 2012 ceasefire agreement," Xinhua quoted Gasana as saying.

Gasana also voiced support to the efforts of Egypt to broker a ceasefire.

At least 471 Palestinians have been killed and more than 3,000 people injured since Israel launched an aerial and ground operation on the Gaza Strip July 8, to end alleged rocket firing into Israel by Hamas militants.

On the Israeli side, one civilian and 13 soldiers have been killed since the escalation of violence.

IANS