Stories from Israel and Gaza horrifying - Mark Drakeford

The stories coming out of Israel and the Gaza Strip are horrifying, Wales' First Minister has said.

Mark Drakeford echoed Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's condemnation of the attack on Israel by Hamas.

He said the international community "has to move on to find new ways of offering people who live in Israel and the Palestinian people longer term prospects of success".

Mr Drakeford spoke to BBC Wales at Labour conference in Liverpool.

Meanwhile the Senedd dimmed its lights on Monday evening as a "statement of solidarity with all those suffering as a result of the attacks".

The Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies had called for the building to be illuminated in the colours of the Israeli flag.

Israel has ordered a "complete siege" of the Gaza Strip, two days after attacks in Israel left more than 700 people dead.

More than 500 people have died in Gaza following retaliatory air strikes.

He said he echoed Sir Keir's comments, which called the attack "appalling... a terrorist attack, for which there is no justification".

Mr Drakeford said: "The stories coming out of Israel and the Gaza Strip today are genuinely horrifying on a human level.

"To think of civilians caught up in fighting which is of nothing that they have done that has precipitated that: just on that sheer human level, you just cannot feel anything but sympathy for people."

He added: "The international community has to then move on to find new ways of offering people who live in Israel and the Palestinian people longer term prospects of success."

Later in a statement Mr Drakeford added: "The scenes in Israel and Gaza are horrific and I am appalled by the attacks carried out by Hamas over the last few days. My thoughts are with everyone caught up in this terrible situation."#

The Senedd's presiding officer said on Monday that she had asked "officials to dim the Senedd lights tonight to reflect the sentiment that such attacks represent another dark moment for humanity in the Middle East".

"It is a source of great sorrow for a democratic institution such as ours. As well as reflecting the sorrow, the darkness will also represent a statement of solidarity with all those suffering as a result of the attacks," Elin Jones said.

Earlier the leader of the Welsh Conservatives had written to the presiding officer asking that the Senedd was lit up in blue and white colours of the Israel flag, "so that we can all stand as one in condemnation of this appalling act of terrorism".

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies MS said: "We must all stand as one in condemnation of this barbaric and appalling act of terrorism by Hamas.

"When major incidents like this happen, it is usual for building lights to be changed to reflect colours of a nation or flags are lowered to half-mast.

"As the Welsh parliament we should lead the way in enabling the people of Wales to show their support for Israel and to stand up against terrorism."

Plaid Cymru's leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts said in a joint statement: "It is matter of fundamental human rights that attacks on innocent civilians can never be condoned. Plaid Cymru condemns all violence towards Israeli and Palestinian citizens, and this attack on civilians by Hamas.

"Palestinians, especially those in the Gaza Strip, have been let down by the international community, suffering misery and injustice under a blockade imposed by Israel since 2006. However, whatever the circumstances, further escalation of violence is not the answer.

"An immediate ceasefire, de-escalation, and urgent humanitarian aid to civilians, led by the international community, are urgently needed before more lives are tragically lost in this ongoing conflict."