PRESSURE is still mounting on Mark Drakeford over the Gaza crisis, with some back-bench members of the Welsh First Minister’s party pledging to vote for a Gaza ceasefire in a debate due to take place today.

The Wales TUC wrote to Mr Drakeford today urging him to join calls for Israel to halt its bombardment of the Palestinian territory, where civilians are being slaughtered.

General secretary Shavanah Taj asked Mr Drakeford to “lend your voice and the voice of the Welsh government to the growing calls for a ceasefire in Israel and Palestine.”

Wales TUC said it was concerned by the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis, adding that it supported the United Nations call for an immediate ceasefire and urged that all efforts be made to ensure international law is upheld.

A letter from 46 organisations across Welsh civil society supporting a ceasefire was also sent to the First Minister.

Signatories also included the Morning Star and Welsh Labour Grassroots, a left-wing group that usually supports Mr Drakeford.

The letter says: “A break in the bombardment, only for more civilians to die once it resumes, is insufficient.”

The 46 organisations pointed to appeals for a ceasefire from the Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and his Manchester counterpart Andy Burnham.

“It would be a shame if our First Minister, leader of a nation of sanctuary with a proud tradition of internationalism, did not join those calls,” the letter says.

This comes as the Senedd is set to debate and vote on Wednesday on a motion calling for a ceasefire introduced by Plaid Cymru.

Welsh Labour members Hefin David and Alun Davies have joined Tory attempts to amend the motion to echo Sir Keir Starmer’s calls for a humanitarian pause.

But their party colleague Mike Hedges said he would back the nationalists’ motion despite his reservations about the language it uses.

“I have some concerns about the motion’s wording, but I will vote for it,” Mr Hedges told the Star.

The vote is expected to be very tight, as the 16 Tory votes will be supported by five Labour members.

Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds is supporting the ceasefire call, as are 12 Plaid members and five from Labour. The five undecided Labour members’ votes will determine the outcome.

A vigil will take place outside the Senedd in Cardiff Bay from 12pm Wednesday, urging Senedd members to support the demand.