Gaza: Mark Drakeford backs humanitarian pause

Wales' first minister has called for a humanitarian pause in Gaza to get aid into the region.

Mark Drakeford's statement comes after 12 of his backbenchers signed calls for a ceasefire.

The comment echoes Sir Keir Starmer's backing for a pause. The UK Labour leader is under pressure to go further.

But former Conservative Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said he feared that a ceasefire would be in the interests of Hamas.

Sir Keir Starmer came under further pressure last week after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Labour mayors Andy Burnham and Sadiq Khan called for a ceasefire last week.

In a statement issued to the BBC at the weekend, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "I endorse the calls made by Keir Starmer for humanitarian pauses so that aid can urgently get to those who need it.

"A pause could create conditions which lead to a ceasefire and then on to the crucial next steps to provide a credible route to the peaceful resolution which is so desperately needed."

• What is happening in Israel and Gaza, and why now?

• More than third of Senedd calls for Gaza ceasefire

• Welsh Parliament boss refuses to fly Israeli flag

• Gaza Strip in maps: Life in Gaza under siege

Last week it emerged that more than a third of Senedd members had supported calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

As of Monday 26 Senedd members have signed the statement of opinion, including most Labour backbenchers. Ministers are unable to sign it.

Plaid Cymru as a group has also proposed a debate on the matter for when the Senedd returns after recess.

Speaking on the BBC's Politics Wales on Sunday, former Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said he feared a ceasefire would be in the interests of Hamas.

"I completely understand why people want to see a pause in hostilities," the parliamentary chair of the Conservative Friends of Israel said. "People want to see aid getting through and that's absolutely right."

But he said Hamas had shown "no sign at all that they want to abide by any ceasefire".

"It's why other world leaders aren't supporting calls for a ceasefire at this time because... they support Israel in its aims of defeating this terrorist organisation, which is inflicting so much suffering and bloodshed on, not just Israelis, but on their own people as well."

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "As the attacks on Gaza intensify, with too many innocent people losing their lives, their loved ones, their homes and living in fear, the humanitarian situation becomes even more desperate. "Palestinian and Israeli families have been torn apart. Hamas must release all hostages immediately and the Israeli government must stop its intense bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

"This crisis needs to end - Plaid Cymru will continue to call for an immediate ceasefire".