The latest Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip are "unacceptable and wrong", the prime minister has said.

As Israel's security forces continued operations in the Rafah refugee camp on Wednesday, Tony Blair called for a return to peaceful negotiations.

There has been international condemnation of moves to demolish houses in the camp in order to improve security in the "buffer zone" along the border with Egypt.

The latest developments follow the killing of 13 Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip during early May.  The Israeli government says the deaths have been "an example of the heavy price Israel pays for its commitment to minimise Palestinian civilian casualties".

Speaking to MPs, Blair said that all actions should comply with international law.

He added that events in the Gaza Strip were "unacceptable", but had shown the importance of restarting peace talks.

"The road map remains the only way we can get back into those final status negotiations and discussions," said the prime minister.

"I will do everything I can over the coming weeks to see that we are able to be in that position because it is the only possibility for both Palestine and Israel."

Conservative leader Michael Howard also offered his "full support" for moves to get the road map talks restarted.

But there was stronger condemnation from the backbenches.

Labour MP Gerald Kaufman said the Gaza Strip had become a "blood splattered charnel house".

He called on the prime minister "to use his unique influence to get the road map back on track again".

Blair told the Commons that while the ministers "understand the concerns of Israel about acts of terrorism, but what happened yesterday was unacceptable and wrong".

He said Israel should press on with its disengagement plan, while moderate Palestinians should be helped to exercise control over those areas where they are in charge.

"We need above all else to begin a process that allows us to restart proper negotiations that lead to a final status settlement," he said.

"And that obviously will happen far more easily if the terrorists stopped, and I think we all have a responsibility to do two things: to do what we can to stop the terrorism but to act in accordance with international law; and to make sure that above all else we get to the point where Palestinians and Israelis can once again sit down in proper negotiations and negotiate a settlement, which is what I am sure the majority of Israelis and the majority of Palestinians want to see."