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Around 40 to 50 people are expected to attend a vigil tonight, Tuesday November 28, to remember those lost in the war between Israel and Hamas, as well as calling for an end to the conflict.

Organiser Suzy McGarrity spoke to Caerphilly Observer ahead of the vigil, which will be held outside the Twyn Community Centre at 6pm, and said she hopes it will “help gain momentum” to their cause.

She continued: “There will be moments of reflective silence, but we also have people there to speak and we will be chanting.

“Our main call is to Caerphilly MP Wayne David, who as the Middle East shadow minister, we believe should be calling for an immediate end to the humanitarian crisis which is currently taking place in Palestine.

“There have been a lot of people locally calling for this, and we believe we need to do our bit in support of innocent Palestinians.”

The conflict began on October 7 after Hamas gunmen initiated an attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and more than 200 hostages, according to the BBC. 

There is currently a temporary ceasefire in place between Israel and Gaza, which has entered its fifth day.

Labour MPs were criticised for not backing the Scottish National Party’s call for an immediate ceasefire in a vote on November 15. However Labour argued the calls were “simplistic and unrealistic”.

The vote caused division in the Labour Party after 56 Labour MPs voted for an immediate ceasefire – breaking with party leader Sir Keir Starmer’s order to abstain. 

Independent councillor for Ynysddu, Janine Reed, will be in attendance to speak at the vigil.