UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the divided Security Council to work towards a speedy end to the escalating crisis in Gaza and is set to meet with Arab ministers who have flown to New York to press for an immediate halt to the violence.
The United States blocked approval of a Security Council statement calling for an immediate ceasefire and expressing serious concern at the escalation of violence after Israeli tanks and artillery began a ground assault on Hamas-ruled Gaza, council diplomats said.
US deputy ambassador Alejandro Wolff said the United States saw no prospect of Hamas abiding by the council's earlier call for an immediate end to attacks on Israel.
Therefore, he said, a new statement at this time "would not be adhered to and would have no underpinning for success, (and) would not do credit to the council".
In a statement the UN chief said: "Given the crucial juncture at which we have arrived in the search for a ceasefire, I appeal to all members of the international community to display the unity and commitment required to bring this escalating crisis to an end."
While the council took no action on Saturday night, an Arab draft resolution circulated by Libya on Wednesday night - that would condemn Israel and halt its military attacks on Gaza - remains on the table.
It would have to be revised, however, since the United States called it "unacceptable" and "unbalanced" because it doesn't call for an end to the Hamas rocketing of Israel.
Mr Ban said he "will be working actively with members of the council and other key players, in particular Arab leaders ... to facilitate the emergence of a consensus."
He said he regretted the council had not been able to reach agreement yet.
Mr Ban recalled Robert Serry, his special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, from Jerusalem to brief him on the situation on the ground.
