Brown urges Israel to cease hostilities in Gaza strip

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The Prime Minister made his remarks after Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak promised a "war to the bitter end" to defeat the militant group which controls the Gaza strip.

Experts believe Israel risks repeating the mistakes it made during the Lebanon conflict in 2006 when it sparked international outrage with its military action aimed at eradicating Hezbollah.

They also fear that Israel's response to rocket attacks by Hamas is destroying chances of progress in the peace process under America's president-elect Barack Obama next year. Downing Street said yesterday it was "appalled" at the deteriorating situation in the Gaza strip.

Mr Brown has been pressing Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert to allow access to humanitarian teams.

A No10 spokesman said: "We reiterate our call to Israel and Hamas for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of innocent life.

"There is no military solution to this situation. We must redouble the international effort to ensure that both Israel and Palestine have the land, rights and security to live in peace."

Today Foreign Secretary David Miliband will join fellow European Union foreign ministers in Paris for emergency talks about the Gaza crisis.

This afternoon's meeting comes amid mounting international concern over Israeli air strikes which, according to Palestinian sources, have killed 364 and wounded another 1,400.

The UN and EU have condemned Israel's actions. But America, the most influential power-broker in the Middle East conflict, has instead placed the onus on Hamas to end cross-border rocket attacks against southern Israel.

Today's gathering will explore ways of easing the crisis in tandem with the rest of the international community.