Taoiseach Simon Harris says world ‘cannot ignore cries of children in Gaza’ any longer

Harris speaking at event organised by Irish aid agencies to highlight effect of blockade on Gaza

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said the world can no longer "ignore the cries of the children of Gaza".

Speaking at an event organised by Irish aid agencies to highlight the effect of the blockade on Gaza, Harris said the situation was "unacceptable".

"The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a man-made crisis," he said. "It is a direct result of the illegal blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip."

Harris said the blockade had "devastated the economy of Gaza and made life for ordinary people almost unbearable".

"The people of Gaza are living in an open-air prison," he said. "They are denied basic freedoms, such as the freedom to travel and the freedom to work."

Harris said the blockade was also having a devastating impact on the mental health of the people of Gaza.

"The people of Gaza are suffering from high levels of anxiety and depression," he said. "They are living in a state of constant fear and uncertainty."

Harris said the international community must do more to pressure Israel to end the blockade.

"The world cannot continue to ignore the cries of the children of Gaza," he said. "We must act now to end this humanitarian crisis."

The event was organised by a number of Irish aid agencies, including Concern, Trócaire and GOAL. The agencies are calling on the Irish government to do more to pressure Israel to end the blockade.

In a statement, the agencies said the blockade was "a collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza".

"The blockade has caused widespread poverty, unemployment and food insecurity," the statement said. "It has also led to a deterioration in the health and well-being of the people of Gaza."

The agencies said the Irish government should use its influence in the European Union to pressure Israel to end the blockade.

"The Irish government must also provide more humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza," the statement said.