UNITED NATIONS -- The UN Security Council is silent on Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip. A draft press statement circulated to the 15 members' capitals overnight seems to have failed to win the unanimous approval that would have led to its adoption.
The Security Council has no meetings set for Tuesday, a sign that the draft statement on the escalating violence in Gaza between Israel and Hamas is dead.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Monday that the United States was "filibustering" the council.
U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said Monday that the U.S. and Egyptian governments were trying to broker a cease-fire.
Rice said, "We think it's vitally important that this council, by its action, or non-action, is reinforcing the prospects for an agreed cessation" of hostilities.
