One of Reading’s MPs has echoed calls for a ceasefire in the Israel Palestine conflict in Gaza after months of fighting.

Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, joined fellow Labour MPs in calling for an immediate ceasefire to the conflict.

Thousands of Israelis and tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed in the conflict since Islamic militant group Hamas invaded southern Israel from Gaza on Saturday, October 7, 2023.

Following the attack, Israeli Defence Forces launched a retaliatory invasion of Gaza as Hamas fighters took hostages.

Mr Rodda supported a Labour Party motion in Parliament calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the release of all hostages, a ‘surge of aid’ to Gaza and a two state solution to the Israel Palestine conflict.

It is not clear how Sir Alok Sharma, the Conservative MP for Reading West and the other MPs in Berkshire voted as Labour’s motion was only approved verbally, with no formal vote being recorded.

Mr Rodda announced how he voted on X/Twitter after the Parliament session on Wednesday, February 21.

Concern about an escalation in the conflict is growing as the Israeli government has announced intensions to invade the city of Rafah if hostages are not released by March 10.

Mr Rodda said:  “I voted for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire – the Rafah offensive must not go ahead.”

His action was a change from how he voted last November, when he abstained from a Scottish National Party (SNP)  motion calling for an immediate ceasefire.