Gaza/New York - The United Nations Security Council was preparing for another meeting on Tuesday while news reports said Israeli attacks on Gaza intensified overnight.

Quoting residents in Gaza City, Arab-language news network Al-Jazeera said Israeli operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip escalated considerably.

Israeli troops were advancing on Gaza City from all sides on the 18th day since Israel began its campaign. Witnesses said troops and tanks were moving towards the densely settled suburbs of the city, which was also under fire from Israeli ships off the coast.

The UN Security Council was to convene another round of closed-door deliberations on the Gaza situation on Tuesday, the UN said Monday.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is expected to brief the council on his planned week-long trip to the region starting on Tuesday in an attempt to mediate between Israel and the Palestinians. He will also visit Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Kuwait. (dpa)