The UK should impose an arms embargo on Israel, former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell has said, amid growing coalition pressure over Gaza.
The Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield said he believes there is a "strong case" for trying to stop weapons getting into the conflict, while David Cameron faced calls from the Liberal Democrats to suspend arms export licences to Israel.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said he agreed with departing Foreign Office minister Baroness Warsi, who resigned over the Government's approach to the Gaza conflict, that there were "serious questions" about the licences.
Former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell has called for an arms embargo on Israel
Fellow Lib Dem Vince Cable, whose Business Department is responsible for administering the licences, said he has been making the case for a suspension inside Government and hoped to get an agreement shortly.
Downing Street said a review of arms export licences was already under way, but stressed that such decisions should not be taken "lightly".
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's World at One, Mr Mitchell said the ceasefire in Gaza must be made permanent before talks move onto addressing the wider issue of the Middle East peace process.
On whether there is a case for an arms embargo for Israel, Mr Mitchell said: "Yes, I would have thought there is a strong case for trying to ensure that weapons getting into this conflict are minimised as much as possible.
"I think it's right an embargo should be considered."
Mr Clegg said he believed Israel has every right to defend itself from rocket attacks by Hamas but added the Israeli military operation had "overstepped the mark".
He said: " This outrageous spectacle of these three UN schools being hit by Israeli military action. That's why I believe that the export licences should now be suspended."
On suspending arms export licences to Israel, Mr Cable said: "We have been making this case inside Government but have not yet been able to get agreement for this position. I hope and expect that to change shortly."
A Number 10 spokesman said: "A cross-Government review of export licences to Israel is under way following the sustained barrage of rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel which prompted Israel to launch Operation Protective Edge. Since then no new licences have been issued for use by the Israeli military.
"Suspending export licences is not a decision we take lightly and it is right that we examine the facts fully. This is the approach being taken by the vast majority of countries.
"We welcome the current ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and continue to call for a political solution to be found."
Lady Warsi's dramatic resignation - which apparently took the leadership by surprise - won praise from Lib Dems and Labour, but split opinion among Tory backbenchers.
In an interview with Channel 4 News, the peer branded the UK's policy on Gaza "mealy-mouthed" and "morally indefensible".
She said she discussed quitting in private with at least one other minister, and described having a telephone conversation with a Conservative backbencher who was in tears at the devastation being shown on television.
The peer suggested she might have been able to stay in Government if she had been a minister at another department such as transport, but could not continue defending the policy as the Foreign Office spokeswoman in the House of Lords.
Mr Mitchell said Lady Warsi's resignation was "undoubtedly a loss", telling the BBC: "She's a very important part of the Conservative Party's DNA. She reaches parts... which others in the Conservative Party don't reach so easily."
He went on: "I know she feels incredibly strongly about what is happening in Gaza and about what is happening in the Middle East.
"On the whole I think in government you should not resign and try and fight your corner. There's no doubt her voice needs to be heard."
Speaking following a speech in Westminster, Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said he had a "great deal of respect" for Lady Warsi and she had done "excellent work" for the Conservative Party and in Government.
He said: "She's clearly someone of very clear principles, you don't have to agree with someone's principles to respect them and I think she deserves respect. It is regrettable that she's left Government."
Meanwhile, the Commons International Development Committee urged the Government to do more to persuade Israel to lift unjustified restrictions on the movements of Palestinians.
The cross-party group said some controls were not "proportionate" and in some cases ran counter to international law.
It urged the Government to do what it could to persuade the Israelis to improve the supply of water and electricity which are frequently cut off.
Former Foreign Office minister Sir Hugh Robertson said he did not think the Government's policy on Gaza had changed much in the last fortnight.
The Tory MP for Faversham and Mid Kent told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "I just don't think... shouting at them from London is going to make a difference.
"What we need to do is do the hard yards of diplomacy."
Baroness Warsi branded the UK's policy on Gaza mealy-mouthed and morally indefensible
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