A proposal by Britain and other countries for the United Nations Security Council to condemn Israel Thursday for its strike on a UN compound in Gaza earlier in the day was prevented behind the scenes by Israel and the United States, according to Ynet. At least three people were injured in the attack on the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) site. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had apologized to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, but stressed that Israeli forces were attacked from the building before it was hit.
Ambassadors from the European Union called for the council meeting following the strike with the intention of declaring Israel responsible for the situation in Gaza. Israeli diplomats alerted their US counterparts, who caused the council to disperse without a concrete resolution. Security Council President, French Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert made a public speech calling on both sides to cease their fire, according to UN Resolution 1860.