Brown calls for urgent Gaza ceasefire

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Gordon Brown called on Wednesday for an "immediate and urgent" cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli air strikes have killed hundreds of people.

"We have got to ... secure an immediate and urgent cease-fire," Brown said in his strongest statement yet on the conflict.

He said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had put forward proposals that were being discussed by Arab ministers.

"I believe that this is the best opportunity for a cease-fire and for peace. I believe that the various forces involved should seize this opportunity now," he told reporters.

"It's vital that moderation must now prevail," he added.

Israel earlier rejected calls for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, controlled by Islamist group Hamas. It stepped up preparations for a possible ground offensive after Hamas's long-range rockets hit another major population centre.

Brown said he had been assured by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that Israel would allow humanitarian access to Gaza to get supplies to its inhabitants and to help with casualties.

"I have some indication that aid is now getting through," he said.

Britain pledged $10 million (6.8 million pounds) of emergency humanitarian aid on Wednesday for the Gaza Strip.