Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I fully support the calls for a ceasefire, expressing our deep concern over civilian casualties. The recent focus on Gaza's hospitals is atrocious and must stop. Unfortunately, these hospitals are reported to be a potential Hamas headquarters, which raises serious concerns about civilian safety. In fact, Hamas was reported last week to have used communication channels to warn civilians not to leave the hospital. If true, this would be abominable. Unfortunately, hospitals and other medical facilities have become caught up in the intense fighting as Israel presses its offensive against Hamas in Gaza city. Hamas must also bear responsibility, however, for using these hospitals, or the tunnels that run under them, as their bases, fully aware the consequences of doing so inflict pain and suffering on the Palestinian people. The focus of attention has been on Al-Shifa, Gaza's largest hospital, where an estimated 2,300 people remain trapped by battles on the surrounding streets, while other facilities report similar situations, a lack of supplies and power and an ever-present threat to life due to fighting.

The World Health Organization has stated 36 health facilities, including 22 hospitals, have been damaged since the war began on 7 October, with only a handful still operating. It said last Sunday that Al-Shifa in Gaza City, the territory's largest hospital, with 700 beds, had ceased to function and that the situation inside was dire and perilous. The surrounding streets are engulfed by fighting between Hamas and Israeli forces. Critical infrastructure has been damaged, according to the UN. Israel claims Hamas fighters are operating in tunnels underneath the hospital, although that is a claim Hamas denies.

The reality is staff inside the hospital say it is impossible to leave without risking injury or death. The WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated on X that constant gunfire and bombings in the area have exacerbated the already critical circumstances. Multiple reports from inside the hospitals say there is no food or fuel to run generators and that solar energy is being used to power a few critical systems. There have been communication blackouts, and the charity Doctors Without Borders was unable to contact its members in Gaza over the weekend. The Hamas-run health ministry has stated that at least 2,300 people are still inside the hospital, including up to 650 patients, between 200 and 500 staff and about 1,500 people seeking shelter.

When we talk about expelling the Israeli ambassador, I certainly will not support any motion to expel any ambassador, unless the country they represent attacks ours. I am a bit surprised Sinn Féin is supporting that, given it was blocked for many years from speaking itself. There is no possibility of peace if you keep turning your back and shutting the door on people. It is immature politics. If we are to bring peace to the country, the US, as Deputy Danny Healy-Rae said, needs to get on board to force peace in it. Ireland has a brilliant chance of doing that because ours is a neutral country, and we should be pushing for that. Certainly, expelling the Israeli ambassador would send the wrong message and would shut doors to peace rather than open them, which is what we need to be concentrating on.

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