A Plaid Cymru MS has called for the “safe passage” and refuge to be granted to people in Gaza fleeing the Israeli bombardment.

Peredur Owen Griffiths made the calls in the Senedd during questions to the Social Justice Minister amid a rapidly increasing death toll in Gaza.

The representative has spoken at numerous marches and rallies in recent weeks to call for a permanent ceasefire to end the bloodshed.

He said: "Since the violence erupted in Gaza at the beginning of October, the death toll has now passed 18,000 in just over two months.

“An analysis has shown that the majority of deaths have been innocent civilians. Many of them are children which is utterly heartbreaking.

“This is why it is imperative that a permanent ceasefire is secured as called for in the Plaid Cymru motion we debated here.

“Until that is achieved, the situation is precarious to say the least.”

“One Welsh resident with family in Palestine, contacted Plaid Cymru to say that more than 30 members of have been killed in their homes. Those who survived, are living in tents.

“He said ‘Even areas previously considered "safe" by Israeli forces, such as the South of Gaza, have become relentless targets, leaving no safe haven according to the UN Human Rights Organisation.’

“He added ‘I am reaching out to you in a desperate plea for assistance in securing the immediate and safe passage of my family out of Gaza on humanitarian grounds….We request temporary humanitarian residency until it is safe for them to find a more permanent solution.’”

Peredur added: “Minister, Wales opened its arms in welcome and support of refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine in recent years.

“What discussions has this Government had with the UK Government to establish a refugee scheme, and how could Wales play it’s part in such a scheme to offer safe passage and a sanctuary to the people of Gaza who want to flee the bloodshed?”

In response, Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt said she had recently spoken to her colleagues in UK and Scottish Government about such a scheme.

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