Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman urges Germany to help find a solution to the conflict in Gaza and send inspectors to its borders along with other European Union countries.

Mediators were working yesterday to extend a truce between Israel and the ­Palestinians in Gaza, where half a million people have been displaced by a month of bloodshed. A three-day ceasefire is due to expire today. Lieberman told yesterday's mass-selling German daily Bild that Germany had a "very significant" role to play in preventing an economic and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where Israel and Egypt maintain tight restrictions on the movement of goods and people to try to prevent arms reaching Islamist militants.

He said Germany should bring together EU leaders to help find a lasting settlement for Gaza.

Lieberman said he was not suggesting the despatch of troops or police.