UN calls for Israel-Gaza ceasefire

Palestinians inspect the areas, damaged within the 'Operation Protective Edge' staged by Israeli army and killed many Palestinians in Zeitoun district of Gaza City, Gaza on July 12, 2014. Photo: Getty Images

All 15 members approved a statement calling for de-escalation, the "restoration of calm" and a resumption of peace talks.

Israeli airstrikes targeting different poinst of Gaza continue on July 11, 2014 as the 'Operation Protective Edge' staged by Israeli army forces killed 100 Palestinians and wounded 670 others in the Gaza Strip. Photo: Getty Images

At least 133 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its operation five days ago, Palestinian sources say.

Israel says it has been hit by over 40 rockets since Friday, suffering damage.

It is the first time since Israel's offensive began that the UN Security Council has issued a statement, with members previously divided on their response.

Text of UN Security Council statement

The Security Council members expressed serious concern regarding the crisis related to Gaza and the protection and welfare of civilians on both sides.

The Security Council members called for de-escalation of the situation, restoration of calm, and reinstitution of the November 2012 ceasefire.

Wounded Palestinians are taken to Al-Shifa Hospital after ongoing Israeli air attacks, killed at least 121 people and wounded 904 others within the 'Operation Protective Edge' staged from air, land and sea in Gaza City, Gaza on July 11. Photo: Getty Images

The Security Council members further called for respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.

The Security Council members also expressed their support for the resumption of direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians with the aim of achieving a comprehensive peace agreement based on the two-state solution.

Palestinians carry the body of people died in Israeli air attack, staged to house of Gannam family in Rafah, during the funeral ceremony of 5 Palestinians belong to same family on July 11, 2014 in Gaza. Photo: Getty Images

In the latest violence

• Two nephews of Hamas ex-PM Ismail Haniyeh were among a group of six men killed in the Sheikh Radwan district of Gaza City, Palestinian medics said
• A large fire broke out in a UN humanitarian relief compound in the east of Gaza City. Israel said it was caused by Hamas rockets falling short, though this has not been confirmed
• Israel hit a residential home for disabled people in Beit Lahiya, Palestinian officials said. Two female residents were killed and four other people seriously injured, they said. Israel did not comment
• Six Palestinians were killed in three separate attacks in northern and central Gaza, the Palestinian health ministry said
• At least one mosque in the central Gaza Strip was bombed, according to Hamas, which said it was the first attack of its kind since Israel began its offensive. Israel's military said the building had been used to store weapons
• Israeli forces said they had destroyed several missiles launched by militants in flight. Hamas said it had fired four rockets at the Israeli city of Ashdod