Irish premier tells US event: We cannot ignore the cries of children in Gaza

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the international community cannot ignore the cries of children in Gaza.

He was speaking at an online event hosted by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Mr Martin said it was urgently important for world leaders to remind the Israeli Government of its international responsibilities and to respect Palestinian human rights.

He said the Irish people have consistently stood in solidarity with the people of Palestine and supported a fair and just two-state solution.

The Taoiseach said the international community must demand an immediate end to the violence and a ceasefire must be implemented.

Earlier, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the Irish Government was doing everything it could to provide humanitarian support to the people of Gaza.

He said Ireland was providing €1 million to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, to support its work in the Gaza Strip.

Mr Varadkar said the Irish Government was also working with the European Union and other international partners to call for an end to the violence and to support a ceasefire.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has advised Irish citizens in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to exercise extreme caution.

The department has also advised Irish citizens to avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings.