Guterres briefed the 15-member U.N. Security Council behind closed doors on Friday. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said after the meeting, adding that Russia was also ready to mediate between Israel and the Palestinians. The United States has traditionally shielded its ally Israel from any Security Council action. He said the United Nations and the Security Council were "facing one of their most pivotal moments," adding: "Will they remain true to their founding values? The Arab Group ambassadors called for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid access to Gaza and a stop to any mass displacement of Palestinians.

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Persons: Ahmed Zakot, Antonio Guterres, Riyad Mansour, Israel's U.N, Gilad Erdan, Guterres, U.N, Vassily Nebenzia, Israel, Barbara Woodward, we've, Zhang Jun, Erdan, Mansour, Michelle Nichols, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Gaza UN, Lebanon UNITED NATIONS, Palestinian United, Arab Group, United Nations, Security, West Bank, Security Council, Reuters, UNSC, United, Hamas, Arab, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Gaza City, West Bank, Lebanon, Palestinian United Nations, Israel, Russia, United States, Britain, France, China, British