An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council has been convened today over the deteriorating situation in Gaza.

According to Arab media, the meeting will discuss Israel’s plan to completely occupy Gaza. The request for the meeting was submitted by fourteen of the fifteen member states of the Security Council, which is an expression of growing global concern over the issue.

Meanwhile, Qatar and Egypt are still striving for a ceasefire and are continuing discussions on possible points of a peace agreement, including the release of hostages.

Ahead of Security Council meeting, Britain, Australia, Germany, Italy and New Zealand have strongly rejected Israel’s military operation and plan to occupy Gaza.

The five countries said in a joint statement that the plan would further aggravate the already devastating humanitarian crisis, endanger the lives of the hostages and damage the prospects for peace in the region.

The statement called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and stressed the two-state solution to the Palestinian issue.

The countries also stressed that unhindered humanitarian aid should be allowed to reach Gaza and that Hamas should release all hostages unconditionally.

Meanwhile, airstrikes in Gaza continues with report indicating that 72 people, including 16 Palestinians awaiting aid, have died in a recent bombing in Haliya and 314 have been injured. The death toll from hunger and disease has reached 201, including 98 children.

According to reports, Israel targeted refugee camps and aid centers, bringing the total number of martyrs to 61,330, while 152,359 Palestinians have been injured.

According to human rights organizations, severe shortages of basic necessities of life, water, medicine and food continue in Gaza, which is increasing the risk of further casualties.