UN Security Council calls for immediate truce

The UN Security Council called for an "immediate ceasefire" as Israel pressed on with a blistering assault on Gaza on Monday taking the Palestinian death toll above 500.

The Security Council held urgent talks on the conflict, expressing "serious concern about the growing numbers of casualties."

"The members of the Security Council call for an immediate cessation of hostilities," said Rwandan ambassador Eugene Richard Gasana, whose country chairs the 15-member council.

During the Security Council talks, Palestinian envoy Ryad Mansour called for decisive steps to end the violence, and voiced frustration with what he termed the world body's failure to take a strong stand.

"The Council failed again and again to shoulder its responsibility," Mansour told reporters.