Britain has hardened its position towards Israel, calling for an “immediate halt to all violence” in Gaza.

As the airstrikes by Israel continued into their second day, Gordon Brown telephoned his Israeli counterpart, Ehud Olmert, to urge Israel to respect its humanitarian obligations.

David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, revealed that Britain had shifted its position overnight, issuing a statement today demanding an immediate ceasefire, following similar calls from the UN Security Council and EU.

Yesterday, Mr Brown issued a statement urging the Israelis to “show restraint” but which pointedly did not call for Tel Aviv to stop the assault.

Mr Brown’s willingness to shift position is significant since Tony Blair’s refusal to adopt immediate calls for a ceasefire in 2006 over the war in the Lebanon sparked outrage amongst his MPs and weakened his position.

Earlier Downing Street had justified Mr Brown’s more cautious position on the grounds it was right to acknowledge that Israel itself had come under sustained attacks from militants in the Gaza strip.

David Cameron, the Tory leader, called the bombings “pretty horrific” but acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself and stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire. Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrats foreign affairs spokesman, branded the bombings “disproportionate” and “unacceptable”.

Mr Miliband said that both he and the Prime Minister were following developments with “grave concern”.

“The rise in rocket attacks on Israel since 19 December, and yesterday's massive loss of life, make this a dangerous moment which should be of concern to the whole of the international community," he said.

Despite the escalating violence, the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to a “viable Palestinian state existing alongside a secure Israel”.

He said there was a “clear consensus” to “protect the political space for those leaders committed to peaceful negotiations.”

Mr Miliband has talked to Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Egytian Foreign Minister, about plans to convene a meeting of Arab League Foreign Ministers.

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