The Egyptians have offered to host talks between Israelis and Palestinian factions to find ways to accommodate concerns of both sides as also between various Palestinian factions to bring about unity.

The UN relief agencies had on Thursday suspended movement of staff in Gaza after two of their workers were killed in Israeli attacks even though the world body says it had already made arrangements with the Israelis to allow them in the area.

Addressing the Council after the vote, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "heartened and relieved... Your decision signals the will of the international community. It must be fully respected by all parties to this conflict."

The resolution has called on member states "to intensify efforts to provide arrangements and guarantees in Gaza in order to sustain a durable ceasefire and calm, including to prevent illicit trafficking in arms and ammunition and to ensure the sustained re-opening of crossing points."

Israel has accused Hamas of smuggling more advanced rockets and weapons and has closed crossings into Gaza in response to Hamas rocket fire.

Tel Aviv alleges that Hamas is smuggling arms into Gaza through a network of underground tunnels which run to the Egyptian border, a charge that Cairo denies.

The UN officials have also expressed concern at Israeli statement that any structure in which the tunnel ends is legitimate target.

That was interpreted by some analysts to mean that Israel would consider hospitals and schools as "legitimate targets" if it has the information that tunnel ends in anyone of them.

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