Many members of the UN Security Council called for an early ceasefire in Gaza at a meeting held in response to an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering evacuees.

Authorities in Gaza say Saturday's attack in the north of the enclave left more than 100 people dead.

At Tuesday's Security Council meeting, an official from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs asked how many more tragedies must happen before action is taken.

OCHA Director Lisa Doughten said, "Can this Council look the children, the people of Gaza and all those affected by this war in the eye, as humanitarian workers have to do every day, and swear that no stone has been left unturned to end their suffering?"

Envoys from Japan and others expressed support for the resumption of negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. The United States, Egypt and Qatar, which are serving as mediators, have called for the talks to resume on Thursday.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the mediating countries have implored both Israel and Hamas to resume urgent negotiations and close all remaining gaps.

The ambassador added, "As mediators, we are prepared to present a final bridging proposal."

Israel's UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan argued that Israeli forces did not target an "innocent school" but "dangerous terrorists operating in a Hamas command and control center" within the school. The ambassador then walked out of the session.