Fighting between Israel and Hamas escalated Wednesday in what was the heaviest conflict since a 2014 war in Gaza. Six were killed in Israel and at least 53 in the Strip in the most intensive aerial exchanges for years, writes the HAARETS.COM.

Israel carried out hundreds of air strikes in Gaza, as Palestinian militants fired hundreds of rockets at central Israel and its south. The fighting prompted international concern that the situation could spiral out of control.

The Israeli military boosted its presence along the border. Authorities called on local residents to remain at home and near bomb shelters until further notice. Violent clashes between police and protesters spread through Arab cities inside Israel, with one man shot dead.

The United Nations Security Council will meet in an emergency session to discuss the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza.

According to diplomats, the consultations were initiated by China, Tunisia, Norway, France, Estonia, Ireland, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Niger and Vietnam.