In response to the renewed rocket attacks on southern Israel, and the military operation launched by Israel in response, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today:

"I am deeply concerned by continuing missile strikes from Gaza on Israel and by Israel's response today.  

"As the Quartet stated on 15 December, peaceful means are the only way of reaching a lasting solution to the situation in Gaza. I call on Gazan militants to cease all rocket attacks on Israel immediately. These attacks are designed to cause random destruction and to undermine the prospects of peace talks led by President Abbas. I understand the Israeli government's sense of obligation to its population. Israel needs to meet its humanitarian obligations, act in a way to further the long-term vision of a two-state solution, and do everything in its power to avoid civilian casualties.  

"There is a pre-eminent need for renewal of a comprehensive settlement for the Israel-Palestine dispute in 2009."

A Downing Street spokesperson added that "The Prime Minister has spoken to Prime Minister Olmert. He urged him to show restraint and stressed that a lasting solution to this situation can only be found through peaceful means."

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