Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin today welcomed the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution on Gaza.
Mr Martin said that it was extremely important that the Council had acted and asserted its wish to see an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire implemented in the region.
“I earnestly hope that Israel and Hamas will immediately respond to this call and agree to cease all hostilities in Gaza or directed against the people of southern Israel. The appalling humanitarian situation now prevailing on the ground in Gaza demands no less than this. I also want to commend the other diplomatic initiatives underway, particularly those undertaken by the Governments of Egypt and France, aimed at ending the violence and ensuring a sustainable ceasefire," said Mr Martin.
The Minister also commented on the actions of the Israeli military which yesterday compelled UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency) to suspend its operations in Gaza, following the killing of a UNRWA truck driver by Israeli tank fire.
“I am gravely concerned that UNRWA has been forced to take this action. I would remind all sides to the conflict in Gaza of their obligations to comply fully with international humanitarian law, including as regards facilitation of humanitarian operations and not impeding those humanitarian actors seeking to assist the injured and dying," he said.
“The civilian population of Gaza have already suffered to an appalling degree in this dreadful conflict. Their welfare, through the urgent and unimpeded provision of all necessary humanitarian supplies and an end to the violence, must be the priority now in ensuring that the ceasefire provided for in Resolution 1860 is put in place as speedily as possible.”
