Hamas welcomed a U.N. resolution Monday calling for a ceasefire in its war against Israel, and said it was ready to negotiate the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

"Hamas welcomes the United Nations Security Council's call today for an immediate ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip, the militant group said, adding: "We also affirm our readiness to engage in an immediate prisoner exchange process that leads to the release of prisoners on both sides."

The U.N. Security Council for the first time on Monday demanded a ceasefire in Gaza, with the United States, Israel's ally which has vetoed previous bids, abstaining.

The resolution, which demands an "immediate ceasefire" for the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan that leads to a "lasting" truce, went through, with all other 14 Security Council members voting yes.

Hezbollah has announced the death of two of its fighters in Israeli attacks, accusing Israel of trying to expand its strikes.

The accusation came after security sources reported two Israeli air raids deep inside Lebanon, in the country's east.

China said Monday it supported a new draft resolution at the U.N. Security Council on an "immediate" ceasefire in Gaza, after it and Russia vetoed an earlier text proposed by the United States.

"China supports this draft resolution and commends Algeria and other Arab countries for their hard work in this regard," foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, adding: "We hope the Security Council will pass it as soon as possible and send a strong signal for the cessation of hostilities."

Four people were wounded by Israeli air strikes near Lebanon's eastern city of Baalbek overnight, one of which hit a two-story building, an AFP correspondent said on Sunday.

Israel and Hamas ally Hezbollah have been exchanging near-daily cross-border fire since the Gaza war erupted in October.

Deep differences exist between Hamas and Israel in negotiations for a Gaza truce, an official from the Palestinian militant group with knowledge of the talks told AFP on Saturday.

The difficult talks over a ceasefire and possible exchange of hostages and prisoners resumed in Doha this week, with Israel's spy chief joining Egyptian, Qatari and U.S. mediators.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will leave Sunday for talks in the United States, the government said, amid growing tensions between the allies over the war in Gaza.

Gallant will meet with U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan "and additional senior officials", a statement said.

U.N. chief Antonio Guterres, on a visit to the doorstep of Gaza, appealed for a ceasefire to allow in more aid, saying the world has "seen enough" horrors in the Israel-Hamas war.

As Israeli forces pressed on with a multi-day raid on the territory's biggest hospital, Hamas officials reported 19 deaths at an aid distribution point on the outskirts of Gaza City.

Lebanon will lodge a complaint against Israel at the U.N. Security Council accusing it of disrupting navigation systems and civil aviation around Beirut airport, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Eleven people have been detained after gunmen stormed a concert hall in Moscow and opened fire on the crowd, the head of Russia's Federal Security Service told President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, according to Russian state news agency Tass.

At least three children were among the 93 people killed, Russian authorities said Saturday.