Statement by the Tánaiste on horrific scenes unfolding in Jabalia

The horrific scenes unfolding in Jabalia, and northern Gaza must stop.

An offensive by the Israeli Defence Forces, backed by tanks and air strikes, has left dozens of civilians dead, many close to starvation, and access to humanitarian aid extremely curtailed.

An entire population is being encircled and forced out, with nowhere for them to go.

This represents a mass expulsion of people from their homeland.

It is a war crime, and the international community must use every lever at its disposal to pressure Israel to stop this war.

The UN and the world’s media must be allowed immediate access to witness what is happening.

This war must end.

I will be raising our profound concern and the urgency of bringing an end to this devastation at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg tomorrow.