Statement by the Tánaiste on Israeli attacks in northern Gaza

"The continuing offensive by the Israeli Defence Forces in northern Gaza is utterly unacceptable and must stop immediately.

"Dozens more men, women and children are reported to have been killed in Israeli attacks throughout the Gaza Strip in the last few days alone.

"Israeli troops continue to encircle Jabalia refugee camp. On Friday, two of the three remaining hospitals in North Gaza were directly hit.

"This is an egregious attack on the most vulnerable. It is a direct attack on the sick, the injured and the displaced. On people who simply cannot escape and have nowhere to go.

"The Israeli authorities are still preventing humanitarian aid from reaching these areas. Medicine and food are in critically short supply.

"Some 1.8 million Gazans are facing extremely critical levels of hunger. This can not be allowed to continue.

"Israel must fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law. This devastating violence must be brought to an end.

"I will continue to work with partners to demand an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a massive scale-up of humanitarian aid into Gaza."