The United Nations Security Council is all set to hold an open meeting on Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET on developments in the Middle East, including the blast at a Gaza Baptist hospital.

Both Israel and Palestinian officials are expected to speak at the meeting, which was requested by Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

The blast at the Gaza hospital is expected to be a major topic of the meeting.

Russia requested the open meeting of the UNSC following the blast, Russia's first deputy to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, said on Telegram.

Palestinian officials have blamed Israel for the hospital blast, while Israeli officials say a rocket fired by Islamic Jihad is to blame.

Also Read: World reacts to brutal Gaza hospital bombing

Security Council rejects Russian resolution on Gaza

The Russian-led draft resolution received five votes in favour (China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates) and four against (France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States), with six abstentions (Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Malta, and Switzerland).

Members were divided over the lack of specific condemnation of extremist group Hamas, which began the current escalation of violence, sending hundreds of fighters to carry out massacres in settlements near to the Gaza Strip on 7 October.

For the Council to adopt a resolution, the proposal must receive at least nine votes in favour, with none of its five permanent members opposing or casting a veto.

The draft text had called for a humanitarian ceasefire, release of all hostages, aid access, and safe evacuation of civilians.

A further draft resolution is on the Council's agenda for consideration on Tuesday, from Brazil. According to news reports, it calls for humanitarian pauses, as well as issued condemnation of Hamas and all terrorist acts against civilians.