Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. The current large-scale violence in and around Gaza was sparked by the dreadful murders of four young people in June and July, but quickly escalated, and has taken on a terrible life of its own. An estimated 1,260 rockets have been fired from Gaza at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and west Jerusalem, and at the nuclear reactor at Dimona. Israel, in response, has carried out some 1,750 air strikes on Gaza. These are stated to be aimed at missile launchers and other targets associated with Hamas and other militant groups. However, as is always the case, it seems the resultant casualties, now estimated at approximately 205 dead in Gaza, include large numbers of civilians.

Israel has stated that it seeks what it describes as "quiet for quiet", that is, a resumption of the truce which has largely held since November 2012. The attitude of Hamas is less clear, but its military wing seems uninterested for the moment in any form of ceasefire. It may be that, having been weakened in a number of ways in recent months, it is seeking to reassert its standing in a military confrontation with Israel.

It is, however, civilians - women, children and men - especially of Gaza but also of Israel, who suffer the cost of these events. We have all seen with horror the reports of civilians killed, residents evacuating their homes and civilians running for shelters. I share entirely the views expressed by Deputies Wallace, Clare Daly and Mac Lochlainn, and by many members of the public, that this is utterly unacceptable.

Our position is clear. This violence, and its cost to civilians, is not acceptable. On taking office I issued a statement on Monday calling for an end to firing by both sides and a restoration of the truce. All Israelis and all Palestinians have the right to live in peace and security without a constant threat of violence. My predecessor, who also made a similar statement on behalf of the Government last week, spoke directly to the Israeli and Palestinian ambassadors on Thursday last, and asked them to convey urgently to their authorities our considerable concerns about the situation and our call for restraint, an urgent de-escalation of the crisis, full respect for international humanitarian law and a restoration of the ceasefire. I am glad of the opportunity of this debate to restate the position of the Government quite clearly.

I was encouraged by the proposal on the part of the Egyptian Government for a ceasefire to come into effect yesterday, and by the acceptance of this proposal by Israel, which then halted its military operations for a number of hours. Regrettably, missile attacks from Gaza into Israel did not cease, and attacks in both directions are now continuing. There is no indication yet that Hamas is disposed to accept a ceasefire. I hope, none the less, that the Egyptian Government will persevere and that it will be possible to achieve a ceasefire soon.

The High Representative, Baroness Catherine Ashton, has made similar calls on behalf of the European Union, as have many of my EU colleagues. The EU Heads of State and Government, at their meeting today, are expected to issue a statement restating those calls. The Foreign Affairs Council next week, which I will attend, will also address the crisis in Gaza and will hopefully have an opportunity to consider the longer-term implications for the peace process of recent developments on the ground and an appropriate EU response.

We are, of necessity, focused on achieving an end to the current wave of attacks, but the Government has consistently stressed that until the continuing blockade of Gaza is brought to an end, these cycles of violence are always going to recur. This is a matter to which we will return. I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. I am keeping a close eye on the situation. I regard what is happening as utterly unacceptable.

See this speech in context