CAMPAIGNERS are set to stand together outside York Minster this afternoon with calls for a ceasefire in Israel.

Rachael Maskell MP (Labour & Co-operative, York Central) urged people to "join together" as the death toll in Gaza rises.

"We long for peace. We long for equality. We long for human rights," Ms Maskell said.

It comes after a series of deadly Israeli airstrikes along the Gaza Strip, meaning thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee their homes.

Since Monday night, Palestinian militant group Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel, whose military responded by barraging the Gaza Strip with tank fire and air strikes.

At least 145 people in Gaza and eight in Israel have been killed since the fighting erupted on Monday night.

In Israel those killed, include a six-year-old boy and a soldier.

In the most recent update, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu said the Gaza attacks will go on ‘as long as necessary’ while Israeli police reported six new arrests over riots in the city of Lod.

The Israeli police also said a recent operation saw the seizure of petrol bombs and ammunition. Al Jazeera reports quote the police as saying they will be conducting operations and activities "in cities and areas across the country to prevent and respond to incidents."

Meanwhile the UN security council is set to hold an emergency meeting later today (Sunday) to discuss the worst outbreak of violence in years.

Ms Maskell tweeted: "Our hearts are breaking as we witness the destructive killings in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

"We long for peace. We long for equality. We long for human rights. Let's join together at York Minster at 2pm Sunday 16 May 2021 and call for a ceasefire in #Israel #Palestine"

York Press: