Israel's ambassador the United Nations, Gabriela Shalev, has defended her country against accusations that its attacks against Gaza are disproportionate to the threat from Hamas.
Ms Shalev told the UN Security Council that it was time for the international community to place responsibility for the humanitarian situation in Gaza "on the shoulders" of Hamas.
She said Israel's attacks are a prerequisite for peace, not an obstacle to peace.
Ms Shalev says Israel takes a ceasefire plan outlined by Egypt and France very seriously, but has yet to decide if it would accept it.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told the UN Security Council the plan would bring together the main parties and take all measures to end the conflict in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he supports a proposal by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak for an immediate truce between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza.
Addressing the Security Council, Mr Abbas said he expressed his appreciation for a plan set out by Mr Mubarak and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The United States says it also backs the ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt.
Earlier, in Damascus, Mr Sarkozy said he had asked Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to help convince Hamas to co-operate with efforts to end the Israeli assault in Gaza.
In New York, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is to meet Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.
Israel's onslaught on Gaza has killed 629 Palestinians since it began on 27 December. More than 2,700 have been wounded.
