The U.N. Security Council is set to resume debate Tuesday on a draft resolution condemning violence in Syria even as Syrian security forces expand their crackdown on dissent.

The council is holding a second day of talks on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's attacks on civilians who have staged massive anti-government protests.

Residents in the flashpoint city of Hama said tanks resumed intense shelling late Monday, a day after Syrian forces fired machine guns at worshippers. The Reuters news agency quotes residents who say three more civilians were killed Tuesday when pro-Assad forces opened fire in the city.

Activists and witnesses say at least 24 civilians were killed in attacks on several cities on Monday.

Meanwhile, Syria is facing growing international pressure to stop the brutal crackdown. Italy recalled its ambassador to Syria on Tuesday, citing what it called the “horrible repression of the civilian population.”

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to meet with Syrian political activists in Washington on Tuesday. The meeting marks her first attempt to reach out to the expatriate opposition since anti-government protests began in March.

Meanwhile, the European Union has expanded its sanctions against the Syrian government. The EU imposed travel bans and asset freezes on five more officials, including Syrian Defense Minister Ali Habib Mahmud.

Rights groups say Syrian forces have killed at least 1,600 civilians during the crackdown. The government has blamed much of the violence on terrorists and militants who it says have killed hundreds of security personnel.