Arab foreign ministers are meeting in Cairo on Monday to discuss the escalating Israeli counter-terror operation in Gaza.
Kuwait, which holds the rotating leadership of the Arab League headquartered in Cairo, had demanded an “urgent” meeting to discuss the fighting in Gaza, a diplomat said on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Palestinians and their international supporters are discussing a UN draft resolution that would condemn all violence against civilians in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and call for "an immediate, durable and fully respected cease-fire."
An initial draft of the proposed Security Council resolution, obtained by The Associated Press, expresses "grave concern" at the escalating violence and deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories due to Israeli military operations, particularly against Gaza, and at the heavy civilian casualties including children.
It makes no mention of the dozens of missiles fired daily by Hamas against Israeli civilians.
The Palestinian draft calls on the parties in the conflict to abide by their obligations under the Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians in war, to refrain from actions that could further destabilize the situation and to make urgent efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement based on a two-state solution.
The Palestinians began talks on the resolution after an emergency meeting of the council on Thursday.
"There's a lot of diplomacy going on right now to achieve our shared goal, which is a reduction in tensions and ensuring the safety and security of civilians on both sides," a U.S. official said. "And we've engaged with Security Council delegations on this."