UN Security Council to discuss Gaza humanitarian crisis

A new day has dawned in Gaza to the rumble of explosions, as the fighting shows no sign of stopping. 

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting later on the humanitarian crisis in the Strip, after Israel expanded its ground operation in the Palestinian territory over the weekend.

During the meeting, requested by the United Arab Emirates, the Security Council will be updated by UNRWA, the UN agency providing aid to Palestinians. 

On Saturday, UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed regret that Israel had intensified military operations instead of allowing a critically needed humanitarian pause supported by the international community.

The Security Council has so far failed in four attempts to secure a ceasefire resolution, because of either Russia or the US wielding their veto. 

The UN says that, according to anecdotal evidence, in the north of Gaza, air strikes appear to be systematically destroying residential areas.