U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said Monday that the U.S. shared Arab concerns "about the urgency of the situation" in Gaza. But he warned against "false expectations" of quick action, saying it would take more than "a day or so" to get "an enduring solution to the problem, an enduring cease-fire."

"Practical arrangements have to be put in place in which everyone has confidence that it will be maintained, it will be respected, it will be observed," he said, stressing that any Security Council resolution must also end arms smuggling into Gaza.

The United States joined other council members in calling for a cease-fire soon after Israeli warplanes began the offensive Dec. 27. But it blocked another council statement Saturday night calling for an immediate cease-fire and expressing serious concern following Israel's ground attack into Gaza, council diplomats said.

Both Israel and the United States consider Hamas a terrorist organization and Israel is deeply concerned that any Security Council resolution might somehow equate the legitimacy of Hamas with its own legitimacy as a member of the United Nations. The U.S. shares Israel's concerns and would likely use its veto on such a resolution if it was brought to a vote.