Britain, France and Germany have offered to send warships to the Middle East to monitor and prevent arms smuggling in Gaza to help reach a ceasefire, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Saturday.
The three European Union countries have sent a joint letter to the Israeli and Egyptian governments outlining their offer of naval support, he added. They are also willing to help monitor border crossings in Gaza, Reuters reported.
"We will do everything that we can to prevent the arms trafficking that is at the root of some of the problems that have caused the conflict," Brown told reporters at his Downing Street office.
"Britain is prepared to give naval resources so that we can monitor and stop arms traffic and arms getting into Gaza. I believe that will help get a solution to this crisis."
Britain and other European countries are also prepared to increase humanitarian aid substantially if a ceasefire is agreed, he added.
After talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and EU leaders, Brown said he was "more hopeful" of a ceasefire.
"There is a general understanding that the appalling violence and the tragedies that have happened should come to an end as quickly as possible," Brown said.
In a statement, the German government said the EU countries would work closely with the Israeli and Egyptian governments to firm up the proposed security measures.
The Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed more than 1,200 Palestinians. Ten Israeli soldiers and three civilians, hit by Palestinian rockets from Gaza, have also died.