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Leaders
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
7 European Countries Denounce Israel's Actions amid Expanded Offensive in Gaza
Seven European countries have denounced Israel's war and blockade on Gaza, which have led to the death of more than 50,000 people and are pushing more towards starvation. The criticism came as Israel announced it had begun the first stages of an expanded military offensive in Gaza to 'achieve the goals of the war and defeat Hamas.' European Concerns In a joint statement on Friday, the leaders of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in the Strip. 'We will not be silent in front of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe that is taking place before our eyes in Gaza,' the statement said. '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,' the European leaders warned. Urgent Call The European leaders urged Israel to reverse its policies in Gaza, stop its military operations, and allow the entry of aid to end the ongoing humanitarian crisis. '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,' the statement noted. Path towards Peace The joint statement, singed by Kristrún Frostadóttir of Iceland, Micheál Martin of Ireland, Luc Frieden of Luxembourg, Robert Abela of Malta, Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway, Robert Golob of Slovenia, and Pedro Sánchez of Spain, urged parties to re-engage in ceasefire negotiations to advance a peace process based on the two-state solution. '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,' it said. '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,' the statement added. The European leaders also condemned escalation and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, as well as forced displacement of the Palestinian people. 'We reject any such plans or attempts at demographic change,' they said. Famine Threat Israel has imposed a total blockade on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2, 2025. The blockade has forced community kitchens to close due to the lack of supplies and the depletion of food stocks, exacerbating malnutrition and hunger. Last week, the UN World Food Program (WFP) warned that the people of Gaza are at risk of famine. '470,000 people in Gaza are facing catastrophic hunger, and the entire population is experiencing acute food insecurity,' it noted. The UN WFP's Executive Director, Cindy McCain, said: 'Families in Gaza are starving while the food they need is sitting at the border. We can't get it to them because of the renewed conflict and the total ban on humanitarian aid imposed in early March.' According to the WFP, more than 116,000 metric tons of food assistance is already positioned in aid corridors, ready to be brought in. 'It's imperative that the international community acts urgently to get aid flowing into Gaza again. If we wait until after a famine is confirmed, it will already be too late for many people,' McCain said. Israel's Expanded Offensive Late on Friday, Israel announced it had started the first stages of a new major offensive in Gaza to defeat Hamas and free the remaining hostages, reported CNN. In a statement, the Israeli military said it begun the first moves of Operation 'Gideon's Chariots' and the expansion of the campaign in Gaza. This involved launching extensive attacks and mobilizing forces to seize strategic areas in the Gaza Strip 'to achieve all the goals of the war in Gaza, including the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas.' Last month, the Israeli security cabinet approved a plan for an expanded military operation in Gaza, which included evacuating Palestinians from northern and central Gaza before expanding operations in those areas. The Israeli military also issued tens of thousands of call-up orders for reservists for a potential expansion of operations in Gaza. In the light of this, Israel intensified its airstrikes on Gaza since Thursday, killing more than 100 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's civil defense agency. Short link : Post Views: 13
The Journal
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Taoiseach and six other leaders call for no further Israeli military operations in Gaza
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has called for Israel to refrain from any further military operations in Gaza in a joint statement alongside the political leaders of Malta, Slovenia, Spain, Luxembourg, Iceland and Norway. Martin, in the joint statement, said that Ireland 'will not be silent in front of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe that is taking place in Gaza before our eyes'. It comes as nearly 100 people, including children, were killed in widespread Israeli ground, air and sea attacks launched early today in northern Gaza, according to local civil defence. Martin noted that more than 50,000 people have died in the territory since the outbreak of the current war, and that 'many more could starve to death' in the coming days and weeks unless 'immediate' action is taken. Martin called on Israel to 'reverse its current policy', and to 'fully lift the blockade' on humanitarian aid. 'United Nations and humanitarian organisations, including UNRWA, must be supported and granted safe and unimpeded access,' the statement said. Advertisement The leaders also condemned the 'further escalation' in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and an increase in 'settler violence', as well as the expanision of 'illegal settlements and intensifed Israeli 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 attempts at demographic change' Martin said alongside the other leaders. The leaders called on the parties to engage with 'renewed urgency and good faith' in order to negotiate a ceasefire, and the release of 'all hostages'. They acknowledged the important role being played by the United States, Egypt and Qatar in talks. The statement continued:'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.' The statement concluded by saying 'we must assume the responsibility to stop this devastation'. Robert Abela, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta, Robert Golob, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, and Pedro Sánches, the President of the Government of Spain, Luc Frieden, the Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Jonas Gahr Støre, the Prime Minister of Norway made the statement jointly alongside the Taoiseach. 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
Irish Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
'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.
Irish Examiner
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
World leaders including Taoiseach vow 'not be silent' on Gaza
The Taoiseach has joined six other world leaders in vowing "not be silent in front of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe that is taking place before our eyes in Gaza." Calling on the Israeli government to "immediately reverse" its policy of blocking aid and its plans for further military operations in Gaza, the heads of state have also condemned the "further escalation" in settler violence in the West Bank. "We must assume the responsibility to stop this devastation," said a joint statement on Palestine, signed by Micheál Martin, the prime ministers of Iceland, Malta, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, and the Spanish president. We will not be silent in front of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe that is taking place before our eyes in Gaza. 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. The statement adds: "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." The joint letter calls on all parties to immediately engage in negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of all hostages. "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 within 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." Read More Israeli strikes kill at least 93 in Gaza as Trump wraps up Middle East visit
