Labour calls for immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza for first time

Labour has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza for the first time since the outbreak of the conflict in October.

The move comes after days of party debate on how to vote in Parliament on an SNP motion calling for a ceasefire.

Ten Labour frontbenchers quit in order to vote for the SNP's previous call for a ceasefire in November.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said Labour had shifted because the situation in Gaza had "evolved".

Mr Lammy said Labour was "mirroring the language" of the UN and the remaining members of the Five Eyes alliance - made up of the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada's intelligence services.

On Tuesday, Labour tabled an amendment which for the first time uses the phrase "immediate humanitarian ceasefire", to the SNP's ceasefire motion.

It means that in practical effect Labour's position is now much closer to the SNP's - although Labour's amendment emphasises more than the SNP's the role of Hamas as well as Israel in bringing about a lasting ceasefire.

A party spokesperson said: "Our amendment calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, in line with our allies.

"We need the hostages released and returned. We need the fighting to stop now. We need a massive humanitarian aid programme for Gaza. And any military action in Rafah cannot go ahead.

"We want the fighting to stop now. We also have to be clear on how we prevent the violence starting up again. There will be no lasting peace without a diplomatic process that delivers a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state."