The UN Security Council has yet to adopt a resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict, as member countries remain divided.
Council members met behind closed doors for an emergency session on Monday. They discussed the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, and a draft resolution being prepared by non-permanent members.
US- and Russian-proposed resolutions were both rejected last month. China and Russia are leading calls for an immediate ceasefire, while the United States is defending Israel.
The emergency session was called by China and the United Arab Emirates. After the meeting, their ambassadors jointly called for a humanitarian ceasefire to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip.
US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood told reporters that council members talked about humanitarian pauses.
Wood said, "We're interested in pursuing language on that score, but there are disagreements within the council about whether that's acceptable."
One month into the conflict, which has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people in Gaza, it remains unclear whether the Security Council can take concerted action.