Tánaiste to warn this week is ‘pivotal moment' for Gaza and Ukraine as EU ministers meet before Trump-Putin summit
On Russia, Ministers will discuss the latest developments with regard to Russia's ongoing illegal aggression against Ukraine, ahead of an expected meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin on Friday.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Tánaiste said: 'We welcome all genuine efforts to arrive at a just and lasting peace, one that upholds the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty, and does not reward aggression.
'Ireland has always been clear that there can be no decisions about Ukraine, without Ukraine.
'This is also a matter of European security. I look forward to discussing with my EU counterparts how best we can continue to support Ukraine and ensure that it enters negotiations from a position of strength.
'We will also continue to engage with our US counterparts, at every level, and urge them to work for a negotiated and fair peace – one that ensures the future prosperity of Ukraine', Mr Harris said.
Ministers will also discuss the situation in the Middle East and Mr Harris said the meeting comes at a critical moment for Gaza, 'where the humanitarian situation remains catastrophic'.
"Since the last Council when the HRVP updated ministers on the steps she agreed with Israel to improve the humanitarian situation, we have not seen indications of any significant improvements. On the contrary, there is evidence that the worst-case famine scenario is unfolding in Gaza. In addition, Israel has recently announced plans to escalate its offensive in Gaza, which I have strongly condemned alongside other EU ministers.
"I will be urging concrete EU action demanding that Israel immediately lift its blockade and allow the full, unimpeded resumption of humanitarian aid. I will also again press for appropriate follow-up action at EU level in response to Israel's breaches of its human rights obligations, which is all the more urgent as Israel repeatedly demonstrates that it is not listening to the concerns of its EU partners.'
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Irish Examiner
19 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Al Jazeera correspondent among journalists killed in Gaza City air strike
Israel's military has targeted a prominent Al Jazeera correspondent with an air strike, killing him, another journalist and at least six other people. Anas al-Sharif and his Al Jazeera colleague Mohamed Qureiqa were among those killed while sheltering outside the Gaza City Hospital complex late on Sunday. Officials at Shifa Hospital confirmed the deaths and said the strike also killed four other journalists and two other people. It also damaged the entrance to the hospital complex's emergency building. People inspect the destroyed tent where journalists, including Al Jazeera correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohamed Qureiqa, were killed by an Israeli air strike (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) Israel's military described Mr al-Sharif as the leader of a Hamas cell – an allegation that Al Jazeera and Mr al-Sharif had previously dismissed as baseless. The incident marked the first time during the war that Israel's military has swiftly claimed responsibility after a journalist was killed in a strike. It came less than a year after Israeli army officials first accused Mr al-Sharif and other Al Jazeera journalists of being members of the militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. In a July 24 video, Israel's army spokesman Avichay Adraee attacked Al Jazeera and accused Mr al-Sharif of being part of Hamas's military wing. Al Jazeera called the strike a 'targeted assassination' and accused Israeli officials of incitement, connecting Mr al-Sharif's death to the allegations that both the broadcaster and correspondent had denied. 'Anas and his colleagues were among the last remaining voices from within Gaza, providing the world with unfiltered, on-the-ground coverage of the devastating realities endured by its people,' Al Jazeera said in a statement. The journalists are the latest to be killed in what observers have called the deadliest conflict for journalists in modern times (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) Mr al-Sharif reported a nearby bombardment minutes before his death. In a social media post that Al Jazeera said was written to be posted in case of his death, he bemoaned the devastation and destruction that war had wrought and bid farewell to his wife, son and daughter. 'I never hesitated for a single day to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or falsification,' the 28-year-old wrote. The journalists are the latest to be killed in what observers have called the deadliest conflict for journalists in modern times. The Committee to Protect Journalists said on Sunday that at least 186 have been killed in Gaza. Mr al-Sharif began reporting for Al Jazeera a few days after war broke out. He was known for reporting on Israel's bombardment in northern Gaza, and later for the starvation gripping much of the territory's population. In a July broadcast he cried on air as a woman behind him collapsed from hunger. 'I am talking about slow death of those people,' he said at the time. Al Jazeera is blocked in Israel and soldiers raided its offices in the occupied West Bank last year, ordering them to close. Mr al-Sharif's death comes weeks after the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said Israel had targeted him with a smear campaign. 'Israel's pattern of labelling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom,' Sara Qudah, the group's regional director, said.
The Journal
44 minutes ago
- The Journal
This week represents 'pivotal moment' for Gaza and Ukraine, Tánaiste to tell counterparts
TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS is expected to tell his European counterparts that this week represents a 'pivotal moment' for the wars ongoing in Gaza and Ukraine. The Foreign Affairs Minister is to virtually attend the Foreign Affairs Council later on today. The council has been scheduled to discuss the escalating concern regarding both Gaza and Ukraine. Harris is expected to say that Israel's decision to intensify the invasion of the Gaza Strip is 'alarming' and will cause untold devastation for innocent civilians. Advertisement Yesterday, Harris joined a number of Foreign Affairs ministers and signed a letter with Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain, strongly condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to expand the occupation of Gaza city. Israel's security cabinet approved the plan last week. The emergency council meeting is also expected to discuss the situation in Ukraine ahead of US President Donald Trump's planned meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to a number of European leaders over the weekend, gathering support for the inclusion of Ukraine in planned talks. Harris is expected to back this cause later today and say that Ukraine must be involved in talks and that a ceasefire must be sought. He is to express Ireland's support for the people of Ukraine as the war continues. Separately, he is also expected to meet with representatives of the Indian community following an increased number of reported attacks on Indian people in Ireland. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Sunday World
an hour ago
- Sunday World
Five Al Jazeera journalists killed in Israeli strike in Gaza
BREAKING | Anas Al Sharif, 28, had posted on X just minutes before his death. Anas Al Sharif, 28, was among a group of four Al Jazeera journalists and an assistant who died in a strike on a tent near Shifa Hospital in eastern Gaza City, Gaza officials and Al Jazeera said. An official at the hospital said two other people were also killed in the strike. Calling Al Sharif "one of Gaza's bravest journalists," Al Jazeera said the attack was a "desperate attempt to silence voices in anticipation of the occupation of Gaza." Journalist Anas al-Sharif (Photo: Al Jazeera) News in 90 seconds - 11th August 2025 The Israeli military accused Al Sharif of being the head of a Hamas cell and "was responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF (Israeli) troops,' citing intelligence and documents found in Gaza as evidence. Journalists' groups and Al Jazeera denounced the killings. The other journalists killed were Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal, Al Jazeera said. A press freedom group and a UN expert previously warned that Al Sharif's life was in danger due to his reporting from Gaza. UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan said last month that Israel's claims against him were unsubstantiated. Al Jazeera said Al Sharif had left a social media message to be posted in the event of his death that read, "...I never hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or misrepresentation, hoping that God would witness those who remained silent." Last October, Israel's military had named Al Sharif as one of six Gaza journalists it alleged were members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, citing documents it said showed lists of people who completed training courses and salaries. 'Al Jazeera categorically rejects the Israeli occupation forces' portrayal of our journalists as terrorists and denounces their use of fabricated evidence,' the network said in a statement at the time. Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike where Al Jazeera says its journalists Anas Al Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh and three photojournalists were killed, in Gaza City, August 11, 2025. REUTERS/Ebrahim Hajjaj In a statement, the Committee to Protect Journalists, which in July urged the international community to protect Al Sharif, said Israel had failed to provide any evidence to back up its allegations against him. 'Israel's pattern of labeling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom,' said Sara Qudah, CPJ's director for the Middle East and North Africa. Al Sharif, whose X account showed more than 500,000 followers, posted on the platform minutes before his death that Israel had been intensely bombarding Gaza City for more than two hours. Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike where Al Jazeera says its journalists Anas Al Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh and three photojournalists were killed, in Gaza City, August 11, 2025. REUTERS/Ebrahim Hajjaj Palestinian militant group Hamas, which runs Gaza, said the killing may signal the start of an Israeli offensive. "The assassination of journalists and the intimidation of those who remain paves the way for a major crime that the occupation is planning to commit in Gaza City," Hamas said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he would launch a new offensive to dismantle Hamas strongholds in Gaza, where a hunger crisis is escalating after 22 months of war. "Anas Al Sharif and his colleagues were among the last remaining voices in Gaza conveying the tragic reality to the world," Al Jazeera said. The Gaza government media office said 237 journalists have been killed since the war started on October 7, 2023. The Committee to Protect Journalists said at least 186 journalists have been killed in the Gaza conflict. Read more The Tánaiste, Simon Harris, will attend a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on Monday and tell his counterparts that this week is a key moment if there is to be lasting peace stemming from the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The meeting will focus on Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East in light of the recent Israeli security cabinet decision. On Russia, Ministers will discuss the latest developments with regard to Russia's ongoing illegal aggression against Ukraine, ahead of an expected meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin on Friday. Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Tánaiste said: 'We welcome all genuine efforts to arrive at a just and lasting peace, one that upholds the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty, and does not reward aggression. Tánaiste Simon Harris. Photo: Getty. 'Ireland has always been clear that there can be no decisions about Ukraine, without Ukraine. 'This is also a matter of European security. I look forward to discussing with my EU counterparts how best we can continue to support Ukraine and ensure that it enters negotiations from a position of strength. 'We will also continue to engage with our US counterparts, at every level, and urge them to work for a negotiated and fair peace – one that ensures the future prosperity of Ukraine', Mr Harris said. Ministers will also discuss the situation in the Middle East and Mr Harris said the meeting comes at a critical moment for Gaza, 'where the humanitarian situation remains catastrophic'. "Since the last Council when the HRVP updated ministers on the steps she agreed with Israel to improve the humanitarian situation, we have not seen indications of any significant improvements. On the contrary, there is evidence that the worst-case famine scenario is unfolding in Gaza. In addition, Israel has recently announced plans to escalate its offensive in Gaza, which I have strongly condemned alongside other EU ministers. "I will be urging concrete EU action demanding that Israel immediately lift its blockade and allow the full, unimpeded resumption of humanitarian aid. I will also again press for appropriate follow-up action at EU level in response to Israel's breaches of its human rights obligations, which is all the more urgent as Israel repeatedly demonstrates that it is not listening to the concerns of its EU partners.'
