United Nations: In a rare criticism of Israel, the UN Security Council has asked Tel Aviv to stop illegal demolitions of houses in Gaza Strip, which are contrary to the International Law and condemned the killing of civilians near the Rafah refugee camp.

The United States, the closet ally of Israel abstained, as 14 other members, including Britain, France and Russia, voted in favour of the resolution criticising Israel For the killings and house demolitions in Gaza.

Washington mostly vetoes the Arab sponsored resolutions criticising Israeli actions, insisting that they also condemn by name the Palestinian organisations responsible for sending suicide bombers to Israel, which Arabs refuse to do.

Last time, the United States allowed a resolution criticising Israel was in September 2002, when the Council asked Tel Aviv to withdraw forces from Palestinian cities.

Diplomats said the American abstention was to express the Bush administration's anger at Israel's continuing action in Gaza and because of intense international pressure.

The resolution calls on Israel to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law and "insists in particular not to undertake demolition of homes contrary to that law". So the resolution apparently does not call for stopping all demolitions.

The original text would have demanded that Israel cease all demolition activity, but the language was watered down to win American abstention.