The UN Security Council will meet in emergency session late Wednesday to discuss escalating tensions between Israel and the Palestinian territory of Gaza, diplomats said.

The closed meeting will start at 9:00 pm (0200 GMT) with representatives from the Israeli and Palestinian missions, diplomats said.

Egypt had urged a Security Council meeting after Israel carried out more than 20 air strikes and sea artillery attacks on Gaza, killing the military commander for Hamas, which controls the territory. The Palestinian UN envoy said at least nine people were killed on Wednesday.