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Brown in UK naval offer for Gaza Brown in UK naval offer for Gaza
(about 2 hours later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered British naval resources to help monitor events in the Gaza conflict and stop weapons being smuggled in.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has offered British naval resources to help monitor events in the Gaza conflict and stop weapons being smuggled in.
He wants to help ensure protection and monitoring of the crossings into Gaza.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." Mr Brown said: "We will do everything we can to prevent the arms trading at the root of the problems."
The BBC understands the Israeli cabinet is set to approve an end to military activities in the Gaza Strip. Israeli is to unilaterally halt offensive military activities in the Gaza Strip three weeks after operations began, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to address the nation following a meeting with top officials on Saturday. It is thought the deal does not involve Hamas, the militants targeted by Israel during three weeks of military action. Mr Olmert's announcement came in a televised address following a late-night cabinet meeting.
Explaining he had been involved in talks with Mr Olmert and Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, Mr Brown added: "I believe there is general understanding that the appalling violence should come to an end as quickly as possible. He said Israel's operation in Gaza had fully achieved its aims, with Hamas badly damaged militarily and in terms of infrastructure.
"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. Earlier, a Hamas spokesman said it would fight until its demands were met, including an Israeli withdrawal.
Mr Brown said he had been involved in talks with Mr Olmert and Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas.
"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," he said.
Britain will not be lacking in support. We're prepared to give to heal the suffering that is obvious in Gaza Gordon BrownBritain 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 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.""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.He promised that Britain would be increasing its humanitarian aid over the next five years.
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox criticised the prime minister's offer of naval resources, saying he "must stop grandstanding and committing our already over-stretched forces to more and more missions while reducing their resources".Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox criticised the prime minister's offer of naval resources, saying he "must stop grandstanding and committing our already over-stretched forces to more and more missions while reducing their resources".
Mr Brown is considering an invitation to attend an international summit being held on Sunday in Egypt about the conflict. Mr Brown is considering an invitation to attend an international summit on Sunday in Egypt about the conflict.
Staged at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, it will be co-chaired by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France.Staged at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, it will be co-chaired by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France.
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.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.There were 5,300 people wounded, including 1,600 children, the ministry said.
Thirteen Israelis, mostly soldiers, have been killed during the campaign.Thirteen Israelis, mostly soldiers, have been killed during the campaign.
GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND In depth: Gaza conflictQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in maps Israel's military carried out 50 air strikes in Gaza overnight as its cabinet prepares to vote on a proposal for a unilateral ceasefire. GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND In depth: Gaza conflictQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in maps Israel's military carried out 50 air strikes in Gaza overnight.
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.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.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.Mr Brown's announcement followed an agreement signed between the US and Israel on Friday.
The deal called for expanded intelligence co-operation to prevent Hamas smuggling weapons into the Gaza Strip.The deal called for expanded intelligence co-operation 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. 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.