Brown in UK naval offer for Gaza

Gordon Brown is anxious for the "appalling violence" to come to an end

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered British naval resources to help monitor events in the Gaza conflict and stop weapons being smuggled in.

He has had talks with Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas.

He wants to help ensure protection and monitoring of the crossings into Gaza.

Mr Brown said: "I'm more hopeful that there will be a ceasefire. We will do everything we can to prevent the arms trading at the root of the problems."

He added: "I believe there is general understanding that the appalling violence should come to an end as quickly as possible.

"Germany, France and Great Britain have just sent a letter to Israel and Egypt to say they will do everything we can to prevent arms trafficking.

Britain will not be lacking in support. We're prepared to give to heal the suffering that is obvious in Gaza Gordon Brown

"I believe that will help get a solution to this crisis. If the ceasefire comes, we have people ready to bring supplies into Gaza. We're prepared to help move children, to take them out of the area so they can be treated elsewhere.

"We're also determined that we do everything in our power to deal with unexploded bombs so that people feel more secure in the Gaza area."

He promised that Britain would be increasing its humanitarian aid over the next five years.

"Britain will not be lacking in support. We're prepared to give to heal the suffering that is obvious in Gaza," he added.

The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza has told the BBC that 1,193 people have been killed, including 410 children and 108 women, since the conflict began on 27 December.

There were 5,300 people wounded, including 1,600 children, the ministry said.

Thirteen Israelis, mostly soldiers, have been killed during the campaign.

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Israel's military carried out 50 air strikes in Gaza overnight as its cabinet prepares to vote on a proposal for a unilateral ceasefire.

Palestinians say a tank shell hit a UN school in northern Gaza, killing at least two people sheltering there. Israel says it is checking the report.

The UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) said Israel's actions in Gaza should be investigated as possible war crimes.

Mr Brown's announcement followed an agreement signed between the US and Israel on Friday.

The deal called for expanded intelligence cooperation to prevent Hamas smuggling weapons into the Gaza Strip.

Israel has accused Hamas of using tunnels between Gaza and Egypt to smuggle arms. The Egyptian government has said the tunnels are mainly used for food while most arms are being smuggled into Gaza by sea.

The Prime Minister announced the move as thousands of people gathered to demonstrate against the continuing Israeli attacks.

Rallies in Birmingham and London saw thousands of people calling for an end to the conflict.