UK Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt has arrived in the Middle East to meet senior Israeli and Palestinian figures amid the escalating violence.

According to BBC News, during his three-day visit to Israel and the Gaza Strip, he will discuss how to end the violence that has led to civilians casualties on both sides. He will also be briefed by the UN and other organizations on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Hamas says more than 100 people have been killed.

Burt said he was gravely concerned.

At least 105 people have died in the Gaza Strip in six days of violence, including a commander of the Islamic Jihad militant group, Hamas officials say, as Israeli forces continue a bombardment they say aims to stop rocket attacks into Israel.

Meanwhile, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said moves by Egypt to try to broker a ceasefire had helped to prevent an Israeli ground attack on Gaza so far. The content of the Egyptian plan is not known, but both Israel and Hamas have presented conditions.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, now an international envoy to the Middle East, has also been talking to Israeli and Palestinian leaders to try to resolve the crisis.

He said: “The most important thing is to get a ceasefire in place, de-escalate the situation and then at least you've got a chance to try and work on what are the two crucial issues for the long-term.”

UK Prime Minister David Cameron urged Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu to do "everything possible" to end the crisis in Gaza.