Miliband in new Gaza ceasefire call
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said the scale of suffering in Gaza is immense as he called again for an immediate ceasefire.
Addressing a session of the United Nations Security Council in New York, he also called for an end to arms trafficking into the beleaguered territory and the opening of crossings to allow in humanitarian help.
Gaza - where the death toll has topped 600 since the start of Israel's offensive last month - is facing "the horror of war piled on months of deprivation", Mr Miliband said.
He told delegates: "The scale of suffering is immense. The need for humanitarian supplies is urgent.
"We need now to use our discussions over the next 24 hours to be clear in our principles and practicability in our concentration to reinforce these efforts.
"Our starting point must be the goals of an immediate ceasefire, an end to arms trafficking and opening of the crossings.
"But we also have the responsibility to keep alive the vision of a peaceful Middle East in which Palestinians have the dignity of statehood and Israelis have recognition and security from their neighbour.
"That is the responsibility of this council today, that is our task today and these are the responsibilities the UK wants to help resolve"
His comments came after violence intensified in Gaza as Tel Aviv pushed ahead with its offensive on the ground and in the air.
Earlier Gordon Brown warned that the Middle East is facing its "darkest moment yet" amid more bloodshed in Gaza - but expressed hope that a deal could be struck for an immediate ceasefire.
