'We will not be silent.' Ireland signs statement on Israeli actions in Gaza
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and several world leaders have pleaded with Israel to refrain from further action in Gaza amid fears more people will starve to death.
They also warned that 'forced displacement or the expulsion of the Palestinian people' would 'constitute a breach of international law'.
The new joint statement was signed by the Taoiseach, Kristrún Frostadóttir, the Prime Minister of Iceland, Luc Friedent, Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Robert Abela, Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta, Jonas Gahr Store, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway, Robert Golob, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, and Spanish President Pedro Sanchez.
They stated that they would 'not be silent in front of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe that is taking place before our eyes in Gaza'.
They continued: 'More than 50,000 men, women, and children have lost their lives.
'Many more could starve to death in the coming days and weeks unless immediate action is taken.
'We call upon the government of Israel to immediately reverse its current policy, refrain from further military operations and fully lift the blockade, ensuring safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian aid to be distributed throughout the Gaza Strip by international humanitarian actors and according to humanitarian principles.
'United Nations and humanitarian organisations, including UNRWA, must be supported and granted safe and unimpeded access.
'We call upon all parties to immediately engage with renewed urgency and good faith in negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of all hostages, and acknowledge the important role played by the United States, Egypt and Qatar in this regard.
'This is the basis upon which we can build a sustainable, just and comprehensive peace, based on the implementation of the two-State solution.
'We will continue to support the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, and work in the framework of the United Nations and with other actors, like the Arab League and Arab and Islamic States, to move forward to achieve a peaceful and sustainable solution.
'Only peace can bring security for Palestinians, Israelis and the region, and only respect for international law can secure lasting peace.
'We also condemn the further escalation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with increased settler violence, the expansion of illegal settlements and intensified Israel military operations.
'Forced displacement or the expulsion of the Palestinian people, by any means, is unacceptable and would constitute a breach of international law. We reject any such plans or attempts at demographic change.
'We must assume the responsibility to stop this devastation'.
At least 93 people were killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza on Friday. Strikes overnight hit across Gaza, including the outskirts of Deir al-Balah and the city of Khan Younis.
Gaza's health ministry said hundreds more were injured.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed earlier in the week to push ahead with a promised escalation of force in Israel's war in the Gaza Strip to pursue his aim of destroying the Hamas militant group, which governs Gaza.
An Israeli official said the strikes on Friday were preparatory actions in the lead-up to a larger operation and to send a message to Hamas that it will begin soon if there is no agreement to release hostages.
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