But the measure, which diplomats said had broad support on the council, was met with a counter-proposal by the United States, which has regularly blocked council action criticising its close ally Israel.

"We believe the council has the duty to condemn such collective punishment," said Nasser al-Kidwa, the Palestinian observer at the United Nations on Tuesday.

"I think it's time for the international community to say (that) we are fed up with this situation," he said.

Britain proposed other amendments between the two positions, and it was not immediately clear how the final text would shape up before being presented for a vote expected on Wednesday.

"It would be good if we could all be united," said Britain's UN ambassador, Emyr Jones Parry.

More than 1,000 Palestinians have already been forced onto the streets since the demolition of nearly 90 buildings in Rafah's impoverished refugee camp late last week, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA said.

The US proposals, obtained by AFP, softened some of the language against the Israeli actions and added other sections pressing the Palestinians to crack down on anti-Israeli attacks.