Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin T.D., has voiced grave concern over the military incursion by the Israeli Defence Forces into Gaza.
"I greatly regret this escalation of the situation and would urge Israel to halt this operation and withdraw its forces from Gaza. It is necessary to reiterate once again that there can be no military solution to the current crisis in Gaza. Israel must halt all military action in Gaza and Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups must desist from all rocket attacks launched against southern Israel.
An immediate and sustainable ceasefire is now more compellingly urgent than ever in light of these latest developments. Ireland will continue to work actively with its EU and international partners to try and achieve a diplomatic resolution to this crisis."
Minister Martin and Minister of State for Overseas Development, Mr Peter Power T.D., have also today announced funding of €500,000 towards alleviating the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Gaza.
Minister Martin said:
"The air strikes on Gaza have already had a devastating effect on the civilian population which will now be seriously aggravated by the launch of an Israeli ground operation. Following our meeting in Paris earlier this week, EU Foreign Ministers called for the urgent delivery of food, medical aid and fuel to relieve the suffering of the people of Gaza. I am pleased that Ireland is in a position to make this initial contribution to the humanitarian effort. I would underline that full access for humanitarian workers and supplies is imperative and call on all concerned to ensure that assistance can reach those in urgent need."
Minister of State Power added:
"The initial Irish Aid contribution of €500,000 will be channelled through a Humanitarian Response Fund to support humanitarian agencies operational in Gaza.
This emergency response to the current crisis is in addition to Irish Aid's ongoing programme of support to the Palestinian people, funding for which doubled between 2005 and 2008. Irish Aid's support to the Palestinian people includes significant core funding for UNRWA, the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees.
Irish Aid is also the seventh largest contributor to the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund, a stand-by fund established by the UN to enable rapid and reliable assistance to those affected by humanitarian emergencies worldwide.
I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to those providing humanitarian assistance within Gaza under the most difficult and trying circumstances, including the staff of UNRWA, who are central to the humanitarian effort."