Plaid Cymru is proposing that Wales takes part in European efforts to offer medical treatment to Palestinian children injured in the Israeli invasion of Gaza.

Jill Evans MEP and Plaid President Dafydd Iwan will make the call at a protest march in Cardiff on Saturday 17 January to demand an immediate ceasefire.

The European Union initiative was proposed by the Belgian government. The European Commission would co-ordinate the medical evacuation of badly injured Palestinian children who cannot receive the critical treatment they need in Gaza.

The first children were evacuated by the Belgian Air Force on Wednesday and are being treated at hospitals in Brussels. Other countries that have offered medical assistance include Luxembourg, Cyprus and Greece.

Jill Evans MEP said:

"We are writing to the Welsh Health Minister to propose that Wales offers help and assistance to badly injured Palestinian children who cannot get the specialist treatment they need in Gaza due to the Israeli invasion.

"Belgium is leading the way at EU level and the first medical evacuation has already taken place. Other countries have offered to help and Wales could also play its part. The Assembly government is responsible for health so this is a very real way in which we can help the most vulnerable.

"I have seen how hospitals in Gaza struggled to cope during the siege. Under the constant military bombardment they are completely overwhelmed.

"Only this week we saw the destruction of a Wales' funded medical centre in Gaza."

Dafydd Iwan added:

"The nature of some of the injuries suffered by Palestinian civilians is horrifying and local medical services are struggling to cope.

"This conflict has so far cost the lives of well over a thousand Palestinians including more than three hundred children. There are reported to be around five thousand injured of which 1,600 are children. Doctors in Gaza describe horrific injuries, many requiring amputation, and suspect that Israel has been using white phosphorus shells which leave terrible burns.

"There has been worldwide revulsion at the massacre of civilians in Gaza. Wales can now play a part in helping the wounded children by offering medical help."

Diwedd/Ends.