(UNITED NATIONS) — The U.N. Security Council called for a cease-fire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Saturday. A council statement approved by all 15 members urges the de-escalation of violence and restoration of calm.
The statement calls for “the reinstitution of the November 2012 cease-fire” brokered by Egypt, but gives no time frame for when it should take effect.
Palestinian U.N. envoy, Riyad Mansour, said the Palestinians’ understanding was that the cease-fire should go into effect immediately.
The statement expresses “serious concern regarding the crisis related to Gaza and the protection and welfare of civilians on both sides” and calls for “respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.”
The United States, Israel’s most important ally, has defended the Israeli attacks in response to the barrage of rockets fired into Israel from Gaza.
135 Palestinians have been killed with nearly 1,000 wounded. There have been no fatalities in Israel from the continued rocket fire.