"Council members are deeply concerned about the loss of civilian life in southern Israel and Gaza and condemn the escalation of violence that has taken place," the Council said in a statement cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, the council chair this month, said members "underscore the need for all parties to immediately cease all acts of violence."

After nearly five hours of hard-nosed consultations, the Security Council failed to adopt a resolution condemning Israel.

Gaza Onslaught in Numbers

Watch Gaza "Terrorists"
At least 67 Palestinians, including many women and children, were killed on Saturday, March 1, in an Israeli land and air blitz against the sealed off Gaza Strip.

The fatalities took to at least 105 the number of Palestinians, third of them children, killed in four days of Israeli raids and air strikes in the Gaza Strip.

Libya, the lone Arab member on the 15-member council, circulated a draft resolution that "strongly condemns the killing of innocent civilians, including children" by Israeli forces.

The text also called for "an immediate cessation of all acts of violence, including military attacks and the firing of rockets, and calls upon all parties to respect the ceasefire."

The US refused to accept language on Israel's actions.

"There is a clear distinction between terrorist rocket attacks that target civilians and action in self-defense," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

Last January, Washington effectively blocked the adoption of a council statement that would have urged an end to Israel's siege of the Gaza Strip and to rocket firing into Israel.

It claimed Israel was merely exercising its right of self defense in response to the constant rocket firing from Gaza.

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