President Michael D. Higgins has passionately called upon his European counterparts to take decisive action regarding the situation in Gaza, emphasizing that “failure to take an initiative will be rightly construed as a moral failure.”
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In recent weeks, reports from the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip indicate that multiple individuals have succumbed to malnutrition. Aid organizations are sounding alarms about the impending threat of mass hunger.
These poignant remarks were shared in a letter addressed to the Arraiolos Group, a coalition of non-executive European presidents.
“I write to you with a deep sense of grief. Unacceptable violence continues to inflict immeasurable suffering not just in Gaza, but also in Ukraine, Sudan, and far too many other regions of our world,” President Higgins stated.
“These atrocities have been rightly condemned by all member states. We stood united in our call for the unconditional release of all hostages.”
While acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself, President Higgins stressed the importance of not allowing that right to be used as justification for the catastrophic loss of life occurring in Gaza. He noted, “We cannot let that horrific event provide a license or cover for the totally unacceptable loss of life, including from malnutrition and dehydration affecting infants and mothers.”
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, now stretching over the past 21 months, was ignited by an unprecedented attack from the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023, which tragically resulted in the loss of 1,200 lives and the abduction of 250 individuals.
As a consequence of the Israeli military actions, much of Gaza, home to over two million Palestinians, has been left in ruins. The territory’s health ministry reports a staggering death toll nearing 60,000, most of whom are civilians.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that 16 individuals lost their lives due to Israeli fire earlier today.
In his letter, President Higgins echoed the sentiments of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, advocating for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and full, unimpeded humanitarian access.
He expressed confidence in the Arraiolos Group’s potential for “strong voice and leadership” in addressing the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
“Silence and inaction will be rightly construed as a moral failure,” he remarked. “As a fellow member of the Arraiolos Group, I respectfully urge the Group to amplify the international call for a halt to the preventable loss of civilian life in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the establishment of unrestricted humanitarian access.”
The Arraiolos Group comprises presidents from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
