Pakistan, May 17 -- As UN assistance chief Tom Fletcher warned of the danger of genocide and urged adherence to international humanitarian law, he called on the international community to take immediate action to stop the widespread suffering in Gaza, intensifying a diplomatic confrontation between the UN and Israel this week.

"Will you act - decisively - to prevent genocide and to ensure respect for international humanitarian law?" During a session behind closed doors, Fletcher questioned the 15-member UN Security Council. In a letter to Fletcher on Friday, Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon sharply criticised his comments, accusing him of politicising humanitarian efforts and misusing the word "genocide" to describe Israel's activities...