'It is the duty of the international community to act' to stop Israel, Palestinian UN ambassador says

Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour told reporters on Friday that only pressure by the international community can stop Israel's full military takeover of Gaza, and end the war.

"This escalation by the Israeli government is going in total contradiction to the will of the international community, international law and common sense, and I even dare to say against the wish of the majority of the people inside Israel, as we read opinion polls," he said.

"Therefore, it is the duty of the international community to act," he added.

"The president [of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas] is contacting all leaders in all corners of the globe for everyone to act responsibly, to avoid additional catastrophes against our people in the Gaza Strip," Mansour said.

"We are grateful for the positions declared by a number of countries, including the European Union, UK, the position of Germany, which indicated that they will not send weapons that could be used against the Gaza Strip".