Protesters voice anger over Gaza

Around 100 people gathered in Bangor calling for a ceasefire in Gaza

Hundreds of Welsh protesters have taken to the streets to voice their anger over the continuing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

Demonstrations have been held in Swansea, Bangor and Caernarfon, calling for an immediate ceasefire.

They coincide with a series of marches in other UK cities and towns, including London, Manchester and Glasgow.

Israel's government says it is defending its citizens from Palestinian rocket attacks.

The Israelis said the offensive was launched after attacks in its southern regions, bringing an end to a six-month truce.

An estimated 200 people turned out in Swansea city centre, mixing with shoppers heading for the January sales.

At Bangor in Gwynedd, around a hundred protestors gathered at the city's clock, chanting calls for an end to the violence in the region.

North Wales demonstrator Nick Jewitt said: "I'm here to register my protest at the behaviour of the Israelis in Gaza at the present time.

"Yes, Hamas has sent rockets and I don't agree with that either.

We're asking for a complete ceasefire, we're asking for aid to go in immediately to help these people Linda Rogers, Bangor and Ynys Môn Peace and Justice

"However, when there was a ceasefire the Israelis did not open the borders, they continued to prevent essential goods entering.

"I want to see a ceasefire and I want to see the borders being open and the Palestinians being allowed to live normal lives."

More than 30 organisations, including the British Muslim Initiative and the Stop the War Coalition, have worked together to organise the series of protests on Saturday.

Linda Rogers, from the Bangor and Ynys Môn Peace and Justice Campaign, said the plight of those in Gaza was unbearable.

Bombing

"We're here today because the situation in Gaza is a humanitarian disaster," she said.

"It is bad because there has been a blockade on Gaza so they haven't got the medical supplies, they haven't got the basic things they need to temporarily rebuild their housing with the bombing.

"The hospitals cannot cope with the number of injuries. We're asking for a complete ceasefire, we're asking for aid to go in immediately to help these people."

The UN has reported that some 2,000 Palestinians have been wounded since the airstrikes began last Saturday.

More than 400 people have been killed including 60 civilians - 34 of them children.

Four Israelis - three civilians and one soldier - have been killed by rockets fired into Israel from Gaza, which have hit towns up to 25 miles (40km) from the narrow coastal strip.

Both sides have so far resisted international calls for a ceasefire.