The United Nations Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wensland, said that Israel is launching a major ground operation in Rafah, and this increases the severity and scale of the destruction.

This came during a session of the UN Security Council, today, Wednesday, called by Algeria to demand a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Wensland stressed that the risk of a regional conflict erupting increases every day that the war continues, and urged both parties to the conflict in Gaza to return to the negotiating table immediately.

The UN official added that reports indicate "the martyrdom of more than 36,000 Palestinians and more than 1,500 Israelis and foreigners," in addition to the injury of tens of thousands and the displacement of about two million Palestinians from their homes in the Gaza Strip.

For his part, Deputy US Representative to the United Nations Robert Wood said that Israel must do more to protect the innocent Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and more must be done to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the Strip and can be distributed safely.

“The continuing pattern of severe civilian harm as a result of incidents such as Sunday’s air strikes undermines Israel’s strategic objectives in Gaza,” Wood told the UN Security Council.

Criticisms and claims

For his part, the French delegate reiterated his country's position of opposition to the Israeli operation in Rafah, demanding that it be stopped without delay in accordance with the decision of the International Court of Justice. He also called for the strengthening of the Palestinian Authority and the return of its administration to the Gaza Strip.

In the same context, the Russian Deputy Delegate to the Security Council said that the killing and wounding of civilians continues after the issuance of the Court of Justice order, demanding an end to Israeli military operations, and welcoming Algeria’s proposal to stop the war in the Gaza Strip.

She added that Israel's allegations of being subjected to violations were refuted, while its violations against Palestinian prisoners were confirmed.

Diplomatic sources told Al Jazeera that Algeria distributed to members of the Security Council a draft resolution demanding that Israel stop its attack on Rafah immediately. The sources explained that the draft resolution demands "an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages."

On Monday, the occupation targeted the tents of displaced people west of Rafah, killing 45 people and wounding about 250 others, and the massacre sparked widespread international condemnation.