Israel widened its air assault against the Gaza Strip’s Hamas rulers on Saturday, hitting a mosque, Hamas-affiliated charities and an Islamic home for the disabled, as Palestinians said the death toll from the five-day offensive rose to 135.
While Israel vowed to press forward with its 5-day-old campaign, it found itself facing growing international calls to stop. In New York, the UN Security Council unanimously called for a cease-fire, while Britain’s foreign minister said he would be discussing cease-fire efforts with his American, French and German counterparts.
The 15-member Security Council issued a Press statement calling for a de-escalation, restoration of calm and a resumption of Mideast peace talks. The Press statement, which is not legally binding but reflects international opinion, was the first response by the UN’s most powerful body.
