A call in Reading has been made for an immediate ceasefire of hostilities as the Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza rumbles on unabated.

The latest flare up in the Israel-Palestine conflict was sparked on October 7 when fighters from the militant Palestinian group Hamas, launched an attack in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and hostages were taken.

In response, Israeli Defence Forces invaded Gaza where it is estimated 27,000 people have been killed. Hamas continues to hold 108 hostages and 28 bodies of hostages.

The war continues unabated, with a negotiation between combatants failing.

The leader of the opposition at Reading Borough Council has called for an immediate ceasefire.

Councillor Rob White (Green, Park), the opposition leader, said: “Greens are deeply concerned about the tens of thousands of civilian deaths in Gaza from Israel’s military action.

“We condemn the terrible Hamas attack of 7th October.

“Greens support an immediate, lasting ceasefire in Gaza and the return of all hostages.

“We were disappointed that neither Matt Rodda MP nor Alok Sharma MP supported the ceasefire motion in November.”

Cllr White was referring to a motion in Parliament calling for an immediate ceasefire on November 15, 2023, which was defeated with , 293 MPs voted against the motion, with 125 voting for it.

Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East and Sir Alok Sharma, the Conservative MP for Reading West both abstained from the vote.

READ MORE: Reading MPs abstain in UK Parliament bid to call for ceasefire in Israel Hamas War

Cllr White continued: “Previously, at the 27th January 2009 Full Council Meeting, it was resolved as part of Councillor Lovelock’s amended ‘Israeli invasion of Gaza’ motion to look at the Council’s purchasing and other policies to bring pressure to bear on governments that breach international law and  companies that knowingly facilitate such breaches.

“Please can we get an update on what action was taken following this motion and what the Council plans to do on this in the future.”

The motion of cllr Jo Lovelock (Labour, Norcot) was introduced following the Gaza War of 2008-2009.

It called on the council’s chief executive to investigate what options are open to the council in terms of its purchasing and other policies to  put pressure on the Israeli government.

Jason Brock, the council leader, replied that the actions from that 2009 motion are still being followed.

Cllr Brock said: “Since that meeting, the council has continued to enforce all legislation, in respect of its purchasing and procurement activity, pertaining to international law.

“We continue to ensure that companies who supply our goods or services have not been convicted of criminal offences including terrorist offences, money laundering, fraud, child labour or human trafficking.

“All these areas are key to the principles of upholding international law.

“We have recently updated our Contract Procurement Rules to ensure we continue to adhere to UK Government purchasing and procurement policies including the UK National Procurement Policy Statement and applicable Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs).”

Cllr Brock also said the council is following laws introduced since 2009, such as the UK Procurement Act 2023, which is due to come into force this year.

The exchange between the councillors took place at a full council meeting on January 30.