The United Nations Security Council has failed to reach any formal agreement after discussions on the Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.

Despite several members expressing serious concern at the escalation of violence, the US blocked the approval of a UN Security Council statement calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Sunday he had recalled his special Mideast peace envoy to New York for briefings and convened a meeting of senior advisers on the Gaza crisis.

Ban said he planned further talks with Council members and Arab leaders to try to end the fighting. He also asked Israel to open three border crossings to allow grain, power plant fuel and other essential supplies into Gaza.

Nearly four hours after a closed meeting, members of the UN Security Council walked out with nothing to show for their efforts.

Jean-Maurice Ripert, President of UN Security Council, said, "There was no formal agreement among the members of the Security Council. "

Arab nations had called on the council to adopt a draft calling for an immediate cease-fire following Israel's launch of a ground offensive in Gaza earlier on Saturday. But the US vetoed the initiative. US envoy Alejandro Wolff said there was no point in issuing statements that Hamas would ignore.

The President of the UN's General Assembly issued a damning condemnation of Israel's ground invasion, while also directing his anger at other targets.

Miguel D'escoto, President of UN General Assembly, said, "I think it's a monstrosity, there is no other way to name it. And what is worse, is that once again the world is watching in dismay the disfunctionality of the UN Security Council. And because there are some members of the Security Council that are trying to protect their own political interests. This is a real shame, but people are dying."

The Palestinian UN observer also couldn't hide his disappointment over the fruitless meeting.

Riyad Mansour, Palestinian Ambassador to UN, said, "Even if there is a possibility of a political process on the ground between the parties there, it is the business of the Security Council to deal with a situation threatening international peace and security. We have war, we have aggression against the Palestinian people, and it is a sad and tragic moment when the Security Council cannot address this issue by at least demanding from Israel, the occupying power and aggressor, to stop this aggression immediately and for their forces to return to the places where they came from before the beginning of the ground aggression."

Council members also voiced concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. They called for efforts to ensure free access to the area so that supplies could be shipped to people in need.

(CCTV January 6, 2009)