The UN Security Council has held an emergency meeting to discuss the attacks on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The closed-door meeting on Sunday afternoon lasted for about two hours. Diplomatic sources say many participants criticized the attacks by Hamas and urged de-escalation of the situation. But the council reportedly failed to come up with specific measures.

Ahead of the meeting, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan told reporters that what he called Hamas's war crimes must be unequivocally condemned. He said what is happening is "Israel's 9/11," justifying Israel's operations as war against terrorism.

Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour accused Israel of continuing to "use blunt force" against the lives and rights of Palestinians.