Irish Deputy Prime Minister Michael Martin has stated that Israel “must be held accountable” amidst reports of the Palestinian death toll in Gaza reaching 25,000, according to local health authorities.
In an interview with Ireland’s RTE radio, Michael Martin, who also serves as the Irish Foreign Minister, condemned Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza, describing it as shocking, horrifying, and unjustifiable in any situation or form.
Martin defended his government’s stance regarding the case raised by South Africa, which accuses Israel of committing genocide before the International Court of Justice, as reported by the British agency PA Media.
He remarked that the International Criminal Court is already investigating the matter concerning war crimes, which may include genocide. Therefore, it is under active investigation.
Martin further noted that Ireland has submitted legal briefs to the International Criminal Court regarding the occupation of parts of the West Bank and has allocated an additional three million euros in funding to the Court to enable investigations into allegations of war crimes.
Additionally, he mentioned that Ireland is considering joining the legal case initiated by South Africa, pending its progression through the initial stages.
The current situation in Gaza as of January 2024 is extremely dire, characterized by a profound humanitarian crisis and escalating conflict. According to reports from the United Nations and other sources, the ongoing war has led to a catastrophic level of hunger and famine in Gaza, with 80% of the global population facing famine or catastrophic hunger now located in the region. The entire population in Gaza is experiencing hunger, with a quarter starving and struggling to find food and drinkable water. The risk of famine is imminent, and children under five are at high risk of severe malnutrition, which could lead to stunting and long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
The number of fatalities in Gaza since the start of hostilities on October 7, 2023, is staggering. As per the Ministry of Health in Gaza, at least 24,000 Palestinians have been killed, with about 70% being women and children. In addition, there have been 57,296 reported injuries. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been conducting intense bombardments across much of the Gaza Strip, particularly in the Deir al Balah and Khan Yunis governorates, leading to mass displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure.
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, there have been 330 Palestinian deaths, including 84 children, with most killed by Israeli Security Forces, others by settlers, and one either by Israeli forces or settlers. This has been accompanied by a significant increase in violence and settler violence, leading to forcible displacement of entire herding communities, which may amount to forcible transfer.
The humanitarian situation is further exacerbated by the destruction of Gaza’s food system and infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, schools, bakeries, places of worship, and water systems. Israel has been accused of using food as a weapon against the Palestinian people by destroying and blocking access to farmland and the sea, severely hampering the availability of food and essential supplies. The healthcare system in Gaza has also collapsed due to the widespread destruction of medical facilities, which has greatly increased the risk of communicable diseases.
