President Higgins demands international community work to improve Gaza aid situation

President Michael D. Higgins has condemned the mass displacement of Palestinians by Israel over the past weekend and called for the EU to review aid delivery in the region.

In a statement released Monday evening, the President denounced the mistreatment of Palestinian aid seekers, including children, who have died of malnourishment, as well as families who were shot down as they waited in line for water.

"Across the television screens of Europe and the world we are seeing images of death that was preventable," President Higgins wrote.

The Israeli Defence Forces expanded their military operations into the previously unshelled city of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, forcing around 80,000 people to evacuate, according to the United Nations. The evacuees were sent south to what Israel claimed was a 'non-operational area', though refugee camps in the region have faced targeted attacks by Israel.

Just this morning, the Palestine News Agency reported that at least seven displaced Palestinians have been killed and more injured following Israeli strikes on refugee camps in south and central Gaza.

President Higgins said the forced displacement of residents means Israel intends to conduct massive destruction of infrastructure, and the evacuees will have "nothing to return to."

"It is now time for us to hear from an independent body or the European Union itself as to how the recently negotiated access of aid to those dying of starvation and dehydration, including the tiny infants and breastfeeding mothers who are going to die due to dehydration, is being provided," the President wrote.

On July 15, EU diplomat Kaja Kallas said in a press conference that "the EU will keep a close watch" on the humanitarian aid in Gaza. Over the following weekend, at least 95 Palestinian civilians were shot down by Israeli soldiers while waiting for aid and 19 died of starvation, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

Higgins reiterated statements made by Pope Leo XIV on Monday, condemning Israel's "indiscriminate use of force" and the "forced transfer" of Gazans. The Pope emphasised the need for international collaboration to improve humanitarian aid processes.

The Irish foreign minister joined the foreign ministers of 28 other countries and the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management in calling for an end to Israel's "denial of essential humanitarian assistance" in a joint statement released yesterday.

"I repeat my many appeals to those who have not broken silence on these issues to join with Ireland and others in seeking an immediate delivery of aid and a strengthening of diplomatic measures to achieve this," President Higgins wrote.

Higgins also demanded the United Nations take emergency action "to end this preventable loss of life."

Read the full statement below:

"Across the television screens of Europe and the world we are seeing images of death that was preventable.

This weekend from Gaza we have seen images of several mothers grieving alongside the bodies of their babies who have died of malnourishment.

We have seen an image of a mother being prevented from seeing the body of her 9 year old son and his 10 year old sister killed at the top of the queue as they queued for water.

We have had an announcement that more than 80,000 people have been given notice to vacate their homes in central Gaza and head south to what is described as a ‘non-operational area’ but where killings, including that of a tent family, have taken place.

It is clear that this latest development in forced displacement is aimed at such destruction of infrastructure as will constitute there being nothing to return to on the part of those displaced.

It is now time for us to hear from an independent body or the European Union itself as to how the recently negotiated access of aid to those dying of starvation and dehydration, including the tiny infants and breastfeeding mothers who are going to die due to dehydration, is being provided.

In his weekend statement on these issues, Pope Leo XIV has used his strongest language to condemn this assault on civilian life and has asked the international community to respond with the urgency these issues demand.

As the directly-elected Head of State of a Member of the European Union, I repeat my many appeals to those who have not broken silence on these issues to join with Ireland and others in seeking an immediate delivery of aid and a strengthening of diplomatic measures to achieve this, and emergency action by the United Nations to end this preventable loss of life.”

Watch the video statement on Instagram below:

 

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