UNITED NATIONS (AFP) -- The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Thursday on the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas following a request by Arab envoys and UN chief Ban Ki-moon.

Ban will provide the latest about the situation on the ground at the talks, which will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be followed by closed-door consultations between the council's 15 members.

Kuwaiti ambassador Mansour al-Otaibi had earlier urged the council to "stop the Israeli aggression and collective punishment of the Palestinian people," amid increased fighting between Israel and Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip.

"I think it is about time the council issue a statement or resolution," he told reporters, speaking on behalf of the Arab bloc.