Tuesday, April 18 2006 13:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: Israel and Palestine traded charges at the UN Security Council as it debated the deteriorating situation in the Middle East in the shadow of the deadly suicide attack in Tel Aviv which left nine people dead and over 40 injured.

Israeli Ambassador Dan Gillerman termed Iran, Syria and Palestine as 'axis of evil' and likened their actions to 'declarations of war' but Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour strongly criticized Tel Aviv for its attacks on Gaza, describing them as inhuman actions which violated international law.

Gillerman told the Security Council that yesterday's 'horrific act of terrorism as well as the ones that preceded it are the direct result of the new axis of terror'' comprising Iran and Syria and the 'terrorist organizations they have been harboring, nurturing, financing and supporting, namely Hamas and Hezbollah.

'' Recent statements by the Palestinian government, Iran and Syria, including one by Hamas yesterday defending the suicide bombing, are clear declarations of war, and I urge each and every one of you to listen carefully and take them at face value,'' he said.

"A dark cloud is looking above the region and it is metastasizing as a result of the statements of Iran, Syria and newly elected government of Palestinian authority," he said, referring to Hamas taking over power.