Written Statement: Anniversary of October 7th attacks (7 October 2024)

Today we mark a year since the entire world was horrified by the appalling attack by Hamas on Israel, including on a music festival full of young people.

More than 1,000 people were killed, thousands more were wounded and people were abducted from their homes.

Over 250 people were taken hostage and still to this day - 97 remain unaccounted for.

Since that terrible day a year ago, conflict has escalated across the region causing death and suffering to innocent civilians in Gaza, Lebanon, Israel and the West Bank.

As a Welsh Government, we call for the unconditional release of all hostages, an immediate ceasefire and the removal of all restrictions on humanitarian aid.

We acknowledge the work of faith leaders and Jewish and Muslim communities in Wales who have come together peacefully over the past year. As a government, we will continue to support affected communities and will continue to work to bring all our communities here in Wales together.