INTERNATIONAL pressure to secure a ceasefire in Gaza was growing today as it teetered on the brink of a humanitarian disaster.

As hostilities continued, aid agencies warned last night that people in the region were facing "grave" shortages of food and water.

Hundreds of Israeli troops have poured over the border in a ground offensive which has left Gaza City paralysed.

Israeli troops were last night engaged in fierce battles with Palestinian fighters with deaths reported on both sides.

Gaza City was wreathed in billowing, black smoke as shells rained down on its beleaguered inhabitants.

Save the Children warned basic humanitarian supplies are running out with much of the city left without electricity and water. The agency called for aid to be let in to the stricken area and said that 50,000 children were already suffering from malnutrition.

More than 2,000 families were displaced prior to the launch of the ground offensive on Saturday with charities expecting the number to increase significantly as fighting escalates.

Politicians led by Prime Minister Gordon Brown united to urge both sides to reach an immediate ceasefire.

Mr Brown said it was vital that the international community, including the Arab League, worked together to find a workable solution to the problem.

He said: "This is a very dangerous moment, I think everybody around the world is expressing grave concern."