UN Security Council in emergency session as Gaza crisis escalates

INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS

In response to the worsening situation in Gaza and Abbas' call, the UN Security Council late Sunday held an emergency session on the Gaza conflict, calling for an "immediate cessation of hostilities."

Ambassador Eugene-Richard Gasana of Rwanda, this month's president of the Security Council, told reporters that the council had a "sober" meeting given the seriousness of the situation.

He said the council members called for an immediate ceasefire and respect of international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is expected to arrive in Cairo later this week.

Egypt brokered a ceasefire proposal earlier on Tuesday. However, it was rejected by Hamas.

US President Barack Obama called for an "immediate ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas on Sunday after the bloodiest day of bombings in Gaza.

Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Egypt on Monday to meet with officials on the situation in Gaza, the State Department said on Sunday.

Kerry is working to support Egypt's initiative to pursue a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.

The US believes there should be a ceasefire as soon as possible -- one that restores the ceasefire reached in November of 2012, the spokeswoman added.