Ireland has called on the European Union to review its existing partnership agreement with Israel, citing repeated human rights violations in Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories.
This appeal follows a deadly Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza, which left dozens dead and many others injured.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris issued a statement expressing deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
He highlighted that over 80% of Gaza is under evacuation orders, and the number of aid shipments entering the territory has drastically reduced, with fewer than 80 trucks arriving daily in June and July.
Harris emphasized that Palestinians are seeking refuge in schools, which have increasingly become targets of attacks.
He stressed the need for accountability for what he described as undeniable war crimes committed in Gaza.
Harris also warned that the world is on the brink of a catastrophic moment, yet all necessary measures to end the violence are not being utilized.
He called for an urgent review of the EU-Israel partnership agreement, suggesting that the current approach is insufficient in addressing the ongoing crisis.
The recent airstrike on the “Al-Tabeen” school in the densely populated Al-Daraj neighborhood of Gaza City has drawn widespread condemnation.
The school, which was sheltering displaced families, was hit during dawn prayers, resulting in the deaths of over 100 Palestinians, most of whom were children.
The brutal attack has been widely circulated on social media, with harrowing videos and images showing the aftermath of the strike.
The official Palestinian news agency, WAFA, reported that the Israeli air force deliberately targeted the school, knowing it was housing displaced civilians.
The Gaza government’s media office strongly condemned the attack, calling it a massacre and urging the international community to hold Israel accountable.
This latest incident adds to the growing list of Israeli actions in Gaza that have sparked international outrage.
The continued escalation of violence, particularly targeting civilian infrastructure like schools, has further strained Israel’s relationship with the international community, including the EU.
Ireland’s call for a review of the EU-Israel partnership agreement reflects the increasing pressure on the EU to reconsider its ties with Israel in light of the ongoing conflict.
