Irish premier calls for end to war in Gaza describing it as ‘horrific'
Mr Martin called for a surge in humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza.
It comes following reports of children dying due to malnutrition and starvation in recent days.
Palestinians in Gaza are facing severe shortages of food, water and aid.
It comes after Tanaiste Simon Harris was one of 26 signatories to a joint statement on Monday, which calls for an end to the war in Gaza.
Mr Harris, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the 'suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths'.
The situation in Gaza is horrific.
The suffering of civilians and the death of innocent children is intolerable.
I echo the call by Foreign Ministers of 28 countries for all hostages to be released, and for a surge in humanitarian aid.
This war must end and it must end now.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 22, 2025
In a social media post, Mr Martin said: 'The situation in Gaza is horrific. The suffering of civilians and the death of innocent children is intolerable.
'I echo the call by foreign ministers of 28 countries for all hostages to be released, and for a surge in humanitarian aid.
'This war must end and it must end now.'
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described Gaza as a 'horror show with a level of death and destruction without parallel in recent times'.
He told the Security Council: 'Malnourishment is soaring. Starvation is knocking on every door.
'Now we are seeing the last gasp of a humanitarian system built on humanitarian principles.
'That system is being denied the conditions to function. Denied the space to deliver. Denied the safety to save lives.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
26 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
US blasts ‘reckless' Macron as France is first G7 nation to recognise Palestine state – in ‘face slap' to Oct 7 victims
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AMERICA has hit out at Emmanuel Macron for being "reckless" after he announced France will officially recognise a Palestinian state. The White House described President Macron's controversial decision as a "slap in the face to the victims of October 7". Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 The US has hit out at Emmanuel Macron for being 'reckless' after he announced France will officially recognise a Palestinian state Credit: AFP 7 Palestinians have been living out of tents in Khan Yunis surrounded by rubble for almost two years now Credit: Getty 7 France will become the first G7 nation to view Palestine as its own state starting in September Credit: AFP France will become the first G7 nation to view Palestine as its own state starting in September, Macron said on Thursday. Just 140 out of 193 UN members currently view the State of Palestine. Notable exceptions include the US, UK, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. Macron announced the move on X as he wrote: "True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine. read more in Palestine PUTIN'S USEFUL IDIOTS Pro-Palestine protesters damage military equipment headed to UKRAINE "We must also guarantee the demilitarisation of Hamas, and secure and rebuild Gaza. "Finally, we must build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the Middle East. "There is no alternative." A formal announcement will be made at a session of the UN General Assembly in New York in five weeks time. Macron has already sent a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming his decision. The US was quick to condemn Paris as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington "strongly rejects" the announcement. Starmer's barmy one in one out migrants plan has a fundamental flaw which means it WON'T work Rubio issued a scathing statement on social media as he said: "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. "It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th." The US has been one of Israel's main allies since the Hamas terror attack sparked an all out war in Gaza back in 2023. In the almost two years since, Israel has launched several military operations targeting those who helped to orchestrate the massacre. The airstrikes, ground offensives and constant bombardments of the Gaza strip have led to serious concerns over the safety and future of Palestinian civilians. At least 59,106 people have been killed in Gaza since, according to the Gazan health ministry. And almost two million Palestinians have reportedly been displaced from the region. Israel has vowed to continue on the war path until they have secured the release of all of the remaining hostages snacthed on October 7. 7 French President Emmanuel Macron meets with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas last year Credit: AFP 7 The US was quick to condemn Paris as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington 'strongly rejects' the announcement Credit: Getty 7 Hundreds of Palestinians seized trucks carrying flour as they entered in Khan younis the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been adamant that Hamas must be wiped out in its entirety so they cannot attack ever again. Netanyahu issued his own aggravated statement on France's move as he said it "rewards terror". He also warned it "risks creating another Iranian proxy" in the Middle East where Israel has already been facing constant attacks from Hamas and the Houthis. "A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it," Netanyahu said in a post on X. "Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel." Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the move as "a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism". Hamas praised Macron and said France's decision was a "positive step in the right direction" and urged all other countries to follow their lead. Paris' decision is now set to place further pressure on those nations yet to declare a Palestinian state like the UK. Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting calls, including from his own MPs, to join France and recognise a State of Palestine. Starmer is yet to announce any such move but did release a statement on Thursday saying statehood is an "inalienable right of the Palestinian people". But he believes a ceasefire in the region is a much more pressing issue to end the bloodshed. Sir Keir said a temporary pause on the conflict would "put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution". An "emergency call" between the UK, France and Germany is due to take place today to discuss "what we can do urgently to stop the killing".
The Sun
27 minutes ago
- The Sun
US blasts ‘reckless' Macron as France is first G7 nation to recognise Palestine state – in ‘face slap' to Oct 7 victims
AMERICA has hit out at Emmanuel Macron for being "reckless" after he announced France will officially recognise a Palestinian state. The White House described President Macron's controversial decision as a "slap in the face to the victims of October 7". 7 7 7 France will become the first G7 nation to view Palestine as its own state starting in September, Macron said on Thursday. Just 140 out of 193 UN members currently view the State of Palestine. Notable exceptions include the US, UK, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. Macron announced the move on X as he wrote: "True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine. "We must also guarantee the demilitarisation of Hamas, and secure and rebuild Gaza. "Finally, we must build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the Middle East. "There is no alternative." A formal announcement will be made at a session of the UN General Assembly in New York in five weeks time. Macron has already sent a letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas confirming his decision. The US was quick to condemn Paris as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington "strongly rejects" the announcement. Starmer's barmy one in one out migrants plan has a fundamental flaw which means it WON'T work Rubio issued a scathing statement on social media as he said: "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. "It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th." The US has been one of Israel's main allies since the Hamas terror attack sparked an all out war in Gaza back in 2023. In the almost two years since, Israel has launched several military operations targeting those who helped to orchestrate the massacre. The airstrikes, ground offensives and constant bombardments of the Gaza strip have led to serious concerns over the safety and future of Palestinian civilians. At least 59,106 people have been killed in Gaza since, according to the Gazan health ministry. And almost two million Palestinians have reportedly been displaced from the region. Israel has vowed to continue on the war path until they have secured the release of all of the remaining hostages snacthed on October 7. 7 7 7 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been adamant that Hamas must be wiped out in its entirety so they cannot attack ever again. Netanyahu issued his own aggravated statement on France's move as he said it "rewards terror". He also warned it "risks creating another Iranian proxy" in the Middle East where Israel has already been facing constant attacks from Hamas and the Houthis. "A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it," Netanyahu said in a post on X. "Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel." Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the move as "a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism". Hamas praised Macron and said France's decision was a "positive step in the right direction" and urged all other countries to follow their lead. Paris' decision is now set to place further pressure on those nations yet to declare a Palestinian state like the UK. Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting calls, including from his own MPs, to join France and recognise a State of Palestine. Starmer is yet to announce any such move but did release a statement on Thursday saying statehood is an "inalienable right of the Palestinian people". But he believes a ceasefire in the region is a much more pressing issue to end the bloodshed. Sir Keir said a temporary pause on the conflict would "put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution". An "emergency call" between the UK, France and Germany is due to take place today to discuss "what we can do urgently to stop the killing". 7
BreakingNews.ie
27 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
TD calls for mandatory Gaeltacht course to be introduced to Leaving Cert
Fianna Fáil's education spokesperson and Tipperary North TD Ryan O'Meara has called for a mandatory Gaeltacht course to be introduced for all Leaving Certificate students. He has asked the Minister for Education to begin exploring how to change young people's attitudes to the Irish language by incorporating a mandatory course into the curriculum. Advertisement Mr O'Meara said the step is "essential" not only for improving language skills, but to transform how young people see the Irish language. "This isn't just about exams or fluency, it's about changing attitudes. Right now, too many students associate Irish with pressure, boredom or frustration, and not with pride or identity," he said. "At the heart of this is a question we've all heard: 'How can someone go through 14 years of education and still be unable to hold a basic conversation in Irish?' That shouldn't be the case. What I'm proposing may seem ambitious, but that's where this conversation needs to begin. We are witnessing a cultural renaissance in Ireland, with a newfound Grá for our native language, and we need to support and harness that momentum." He said he has formally asked the Minister to initiate departmental planning for the introduction of compulsory Gaeltacht stays, suggesting it could become a key part of the Leaving Cert curriculum. Advertisement "Currently, many students view Irish as just another subject, something they're required to study, rather than something they feel connected to. For too many, Irish evokes a groan or a huff, not a sense of pride or enthusiasm. That needs to change." 'We need to create more immersive experiences so that young people see Irish as a living language, something they can use and enjoy in real life, not just a subject confined to the classroom," he added. 'By ensuring all students have access to a Gaeltacht course, we offer them a chance to hear the language spoken naturally, use it in daily situations, and to develop a genuine connection to it. Immersion is the best way to learn and gain a Grá for our language.' 'If Irish is going to remain a core subject in our education system, then we have an obligation to ensure students aren't just learning about it, but living it.' Advertisement 'This is about more than language. It's about our national identity, our heritage, and our future. We cannot accept a system where, after over a decade of learning, students are still unable to speak our national language. Something clearly isn't working, and we need to change that.'
