The UN Security Council urged Israel and the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table, expressing "grave concern at the return to hostilities."

In a statement that was adopted unanimously, the 15-member council "called upon the parties to resume negotiations to urgently reach a sustainable and lasting ceasefire".

The statement, drafted by permanent member France, falls short of a full resolution. However, diplomats have said that stronger measures might be considered if there is no return to the Egyptian-mediated talks.

British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said Security Council members were discussing a possible resolution that would call for a lasting ceasefire.

Jordan says it has circulated such a resolution, although Jordanian Ambassador Dina Kawar told reporters Wednesday: "we're taking our time to talk to the Americans, to the Europeans" because "the whole idea is to have a Security Council that's effective."

Israel stands defiant

A 10-day period of calm came to an end on Tuesday, as both sides resumed hostilities ahead of an extended ceasefire coming to an end at midnight. Each blamed the other for the resumption of violence.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's military campaign in Gaza could turn into an extended operation. At a news conference in Tel Aviv, the premier added that the offensive, launched on July 8, would go on as long as Israeli officials felt necessary.



The operation has claimed more than 2,000 lives in Gaza, about three-quarters of them civilians, according to the United Nations. Sixty-four Israeli soldiers have been killed in combat, and three civilians died in rocket attacks launched by militants from Gaza.

Meanwhile, Hamas on Thursday warned foreign airlines to stop flights into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport from 6 a.m. local time (0300 UTC). Last month, a number of international airlines briefly suspended flights to the city when a rocket landed close to the city's airport.

rc/kms (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)