The United States told a UN Security Council meeting Friday that it opposed an immediate ceasefire in the fighting raging in Gaza.

"While the United States strongly supports the durable peace, in which both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security, we do not support calls for an immediate ceasefire," said Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood.

"This would only plant the seeds for the next war, because Hamas has no desire to see a durable peace to see a two state solution," Wood added.