Paul Dennett has joined Metro Mayor Andy Burnham and his Deputy Mayor Kate Green, along with 9 other leaders of Greater Manchester who have joined the international calls for a ceasefire amid the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza. The statement reads as follows: "We are deeply concerned about events in the Middle East and the anguish being experienced by people in Greater Manchester, most acutely in our Jewish and Muslim communities. "We condemn unreservedly the appalling terror attacks on innocent civilians in Israel by Hamas on 7th October. We recognise that Israel has the right to take targeted action within international law to defend itself against terror attacks and terrorist organisations and to rescue hostages. "We also have profound concerns about the loss of thousands of innocent lives in Gaza, the displacement of many more and widespread suffering through the ongoing blockade of essential goods and services. It is vital that urgent support and humanitarian aid is allowed into the area. "Given the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and the ten Leaders of Greater Manchester join the growing international calls for a ceasefire by all sides and for the hostages to be released unharmed." The list of signatories: Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester City Mayor Paul Dennett, Salford City Council Cllr Bev Craig, Manchester City Council Cllr Nick Peel, Bolton Council Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Bury Council Cllr Arooj Shah, Oldham Council Cllr Neil Emmott, Rochdale Council Cllr Mark Hunter, Stockport Council Cllr Gerald Cooney, Tameside Council Cllr Tom Ross, Trafford Council Cllr Nazia Rehman for Wigan Council