UNSC

ABC report says targeted was connected to nuclear site • IDF said to have killed PIJ commander in West Bank • US, EU issue new sanctions on settlers

The United States says an independent Palestinian state should be established through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and not through UN action.

UN Security Council deliberating on Palestinian membership, which would effectively recognize it as a state.

“The Security Council must unequivocally condemn Iran’s aggressive actions and call for Iran and its partners and proxies to cease their attacks,” US Ambassador Robert Wood told the 15-member body.

"We want to stop the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and help kickstart a political peace process leading to the realization of the two-state solution as early as possible," a spokeswoman said.

The Kremlin said that the suspected Israeli attack is an act of aggression and a "violation of all the foundations of international law."

An application to become a full UN member needs to be approved by the Security Council - where the United States can cast a veto - and then at least two-thirds of the 193-member General Assembly.

France's foreign ministry said on Thursday it had started drafting a resolution with diplomats, saying they would put a draft forward if the US resolution did not pass.

Hila Kinster Bar-David founder of the Israel Women's Forum community and leader of the "Don't Let Hamas Rape MeToo" campaign, commented on the UN meeting regarding Gaza and Israeli rape victims

During the five months that have passed since the attack, the “UN never condemned nor disapproved these Hamas brutal crimes,” he said.