Newyork. A wide view of the UN Security Council chamber as ambassadors meet on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

Following four failed efforts to reach consensus on a Gaza resolution, the UN Security Council met in emergency session again on Monday afternoon (New York time) to discuss the ongoing crisis, amid continuing Israeli bombardment and reported ground incursions.

The Council meeting has ended, and here are the key points of the day focused on the UN’s humanitarian effort:

Meeting Highlights

• UAE and China called for the emergency meeting after Israel expanded its ground operations into Gaza over the weekend
• Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, briefed ambassadors on the dire humanitarian situation in the ravaged enclave, stressing women and children cannot be “collateral damage”
• UNICEF chief Catherine Russell outlined the impact on children on both sides who are experiencing terrible trauma, “the consequences of which could last a lifetime”
• Lisa Doughten, senior UN humanitarian official from OCHA, underscored the need for a pause in the fighting to provide respite for desperate civilians “living under unimaginably traumatic conditions”
• Security Council members recalled Friday’s General Assembly resolution on the crisis, reiterating that international humanitarian law must be respected
• On Tuesday the General Assembly continues its emergency special session on the crisis, expected to reconvene at 3 PM New York time

For a reminder of how the Security Council works during a crisis and negotiates resolutions or ends up in deadlock.