The United Nations Security Council has called for "full adherence" to a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, in its first statement since fighting erupted on 10 May.
The statement, issued by the 15-member council, also stressed the "immediate need for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly in Gaza".
The statement received backing from the United States delegation - which had blocked earlier drafts - only after the removal of a paragraph condemning the violence, a sensitive issue since it raised the question of blame.
The final statement said Council members "mourned the loss of civilian lives resulting from the violence" and supported a call from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the international community to help develop "a robust package of support for a swift, sustainable reconstruction and recovery".
It also reiterated the importance of achieving "a comprehensive peace" based on the vision of a region where Israel and Palestinian Territories "live side by side in peace with secure and recognised borders".
It comes as Egyptian mediators sought to reinforce the ceasefire, and aid officials appealed for a period of calm to start tackling a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
A family passes the rubble from a building previously destroyed in an air-strike in Gaza after a ceasefire was reached. on 21 May, 2021. Source: AP via AAP
The ceasefire began before dawn on Friday, and was still holding on Sunday. Palestinians and Israelis are now assessing the damage from 11 days of hostilities in which Israel pounded Gaza with air strikes and militants fired barrages of rockets at Israel.
Palestinian officials put the reconstruction costs at tens of millions of dollars, while economists said Israel's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic could be curbed by the hostilities.
A senior UN official who toured Gaza on Saturday warned of increased health risks and widespread despair after homes, roads and other vital infrastructure including hospitals were damaged or destroyed.
"Everybody just needs to stand down and not to engage in any provocative moves," Lynn Hastings, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Palestinian Territories, said in a rubble-strewn area of Gaza City where she spoke to survivors.
Meanwhile, in Australia, thousands rallied in Sydney and Melbourne for the second weekend in a row on Saturday, in solidarity with Palestinians.
Members of Australia's Jewish community also came together in Sydney on Sunday, in support of a peaceful resolution to the violence.
Protesters rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Melbourne on Saturday, 22 May, 2021. Source: Getty Images
Several hundred people, including other inter-faith representatives, stood for a minute's silence to remember the innocent lives lost on both sides of the conflict.
US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that Washington would work with the United Nations on bringing humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Gaza, with safeguards against funds being used to arm Hamas.
Gaza medical officials put the Palestinian death toll at 248, including 66 children.
Israel said its forces killed more than 200 fighters from Hamas and allied faction Islamic Jihad, and that at least 17 civilian fatalities in Gaza were caused by militants' rockets falling short.
Thirteen people have been killed in Israel, including two children, medics said.
