( dpa )- The United Nations Security Council was meeting Saturday evening in emergency session over the escalating violence in the Middle East, where 60 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours.
The deteriorating situation in Gaza was the issue under debate before the council.
In addition to those killed, more than 200 people were injured in Saturday's attacks by Israelis on Palestinian militants. Gaza's Hamas leadership has appealed to Egypt to open the Rafah border crossing to allow the injured access to medical care.
Israel says it is retaliating for non-stop missile attacks out of Gaza.
The Palestinian leadership called off peace talks with Israel earlier Saturday in light of the escalating attacks.