Taoiseach Micheál Martin has expressed profound concern over the recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, which tragically resulted in the loss of hundreds of civilian lives. He emphasized the urgent need for an end to hostilities in the region, stating, “For the sake of the civilians in Gaza, who have already endured unimaginable hardships, there must be an immediate cessation of all fighting.”
The strikes were reported in various locations, including northern Gaza, Gaza City, and central and southern areas such as Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah. According to the Gaza health ministry, the death toll has risen to at least 413.
This escalation has drawn criticism from esteemed figures within the United Nations and leaders from Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan. Martin echoed their sentiments, calling for a humanitarian response: “The release of all remaining hostages is imperative. Their families have suffered for too long, and I have continuously advocated for their unconditional release.”
He further urged for the resumption of humanitarian access to Gaza, clarifying that, “This is not only an obligation under international humanitarian law but also a moral imperative.” In his appeal, he stressed the importance of dialogue, stating that “all sides must step back from the brink of all-out war and focus on establishing a permanent peace.”
High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed his horror at the airstrikes, remarking, “This will add tragedy onto tragedy,” as it marked the collapse of a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. He cautioned that “Israel’s continued military aggression will only exacerbate the challenges faced by a Palestinian population already living in catastrophic conditions.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also voiced his shock at the escalating violence. His spokesperson urged that “a ceasefire must be respected, unimpeded humanitarian assistance must be restored, and all remaining hostages should be released unconditionally.”
Israel, undeterred, has pledged to maintain its military efforts in Gaza until all hostages are returned, initiating its most intense strikes since a truce was established on January 19. This ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, halted over 15 months of conflict, which was spurred by Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023.
The Gaza health ministry confirmed an alarming statistic: “So far, 413 martyrs have arrived in hospitals,” adding that “a number of victims remain trapped under rubble, and efforts are underway to recover them.”
Hamas has yet to respond to the airstrikes but has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of resuming war following a stalemate in truce negotiations, warning that a return to fighting could jeopardize the lives of hostages still in Gaza.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has reported that medical facilities in Gaza are “overwhelmed” in the wake of the airstrikes. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris described the strikes as “deeply disturbing,” calling for a pathway to peace: Reports of Israeli air strikes in Gaza are deeply concerning. We need to see a permanent end to hostilities.
Amidst this turmoil, Turkey has condemned the strikes as a continuation of Israel’s “genocide policy,” with a foreign ministry statement asserting that “the massacre of hundreds of Palestinians demonstrates that the Netanyahu government’s actions have entered a new phase.” Egypt echoed this sentiment, denouncing the strikes as a violation of the ceasefire agreement and a significant escalation in the conflict.
For continuous updates, please follow the latest developments in the Middle East.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
