The UN's special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process has called for de-escalation in the region.
In his briefing to the Security Council, Nikolay Mladenov, urged all parties to step back from the brink.
There was wide ranging criticism of Israel's action against demonstrators in Gaza, but also a spirited defence from the Israeli Ambassador and his US ally.
Al Jazeera's Mike Hanna reports from the United Nations.
