Diplomats reported for the third time in a week that the United States refused to adopt a United Nations Security Council statement on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians calling for a "cessation of violence" and "protection of civilians, especially children"

The draft statement prepared by China, Tunisia and Norway was delivered on Sunday evening to the 15 members of the Council for their approval. But the United States said it "cannot support at the moment a position expressed" by the Security Council, according to a diplomat.

A draft statement calling for an immediate ceasefire was submitted by Norway, Tunisia and China after an emergency meeting earlier Sunday on the fighting in Gaza.

The statement is generally critical of both sides for the ongoing violence but does not mention the firing of Hamas rockets, which is why the United States opposed the statement.