The Tanaiste has described the Israeli attacks in Gaza as a ‘war crime’ and says people are being driven from their homeland.
It comes as Palestinian medical officials said an Israeli attack in Gaza had killed a family of eight.
The strike struck a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp late Saturday, killing parents and their six children, ranging in age from eight to 23, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in nearby Deir al-Balah, where the bodies were taken.
The horrific scenes taking place in Jabalia and northern Gaza must stop. An entire population is surrounded and displaced, with nowhere to go.
My statement: pic.twitter.com/FpITcYO5P5
— Michel Martin (@MichealMartinTD) October 13, 2024
Michael Martin said the scenes unfolding in Jabalia, north of Gaza, are “horrific” and must stop.
“An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) offensive, backed by tanks and airstrikes, has left dozens of civilians dead, many on the brink of starvation, and extremely limited access to humanitarian aid,” Martin said in a statement.
“An entire population is surrounded and displaced, with nowhere to go.
“This represents a mass expulsion of people from their homelands.
“It is a war crime and the international community must use all the tools at its disposal to pressure Israel to stop this war.
“The UN and the world’s media must be given immediate access to witness what is happening. This war must end.
“I will express our deep concern and the urgency to put an end to this destruction at tomorrow’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg.”
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Helen McEntee said the escalating violence in Lebanon is “extremely worrying”.
She said the security of Irish peacekeepers was continuously monitored.
On Saturday, the United Nations reported that another peacekeeper was injured by gunfire in southern Lebanon.
The peacekeeper at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) headquarters in Naqoura was hit by gunfire on Friday following ongoing military activities in the area.
Unifil said it could not confirm the origin of the gunfire.
Ms McEntee said on Sunday: “Our troops are fine, they are safe, but we can clearly see things escalating further, and the violence and escalation in the region is extremely worrying.
“This is something that is consistently taken into consideration; we get hourly reports from the UN on what is happening.
“It is clear that the uniform troops are working together. Our peacekeepers are not the only country represented there, and in recent weeks the decision has been made to remain there.
“These are immensely capable, experienced peacekeepers, but we need to ensure they are safe, and of course I am sure that further engagement with our Taoiseach will take place following that announcement.
“Israel is not listening here. Israel has violated international law. They do this every time they injure or kill innocent civilians, whether in Gaza or elsewhere, and now they are directly targeting uniformed peacekeepers.”
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon was critical of the Prime Minister’s visit to the US, where he met President Joe Biden earlier this week.
“I think there was an incredible opportunity this week for Simon Harris to say something meaningful,” he said.
“The two things he didn’t say were the word genocide, which Israel is carrying out in Gaza using American weapons.
“He also failed to inform the US President that the same weapons used against the UNIFIL forces have been supplied to the US.
“He could have taken a stand and called for a suspension of arms sales, as the Spanish Prime Minister did shortly after our Prime Minister left.
“I think he has failed to fulfill his obligations to ourselves. I think he has failed to meet his obligations under the Genocide Act and I think he has really failed those peacekeepers, not just the Irish ones, but the other 10,000 who are putting themselves in danger.”
