Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, too, join with other voices in wishing Irish citizens who are working in the diplomatic core, in aid agencies and in the Defence Forces well at this difficult time, and I add my voice to the others in offering condolences to families who have lost their loved ones.

The escalation of violence with the indiscriminate rocket attacks into Israel and the barbaric killings and kidnappings of their neighbours by Hamas has rightly captivated the world's attention in a region to which the world has frequently turned a blind eye. While nothing can or will justify the events of the early hours of 7 October, the escalation must be viewed in the context of the long-standing situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. Israel has a right to defend itself and a right to defend its citizens. However, with those rights come responsibilities, which are enshrined in our humanitarian international laws. Those laws are being broken and war crimes are being committed. We are seeing the blocking of aid, no supplies of water or power and the ethnic cleansing of 1 million people. World leaders and government leaders must use their diplomatic skills to bring about a de-escalation of violence and a ceasefire. For world leaders to act as honest brokers, they must call out atrocities on both sides. The initial response by the EU did not do that, and President Higgins was right to call that out.

The head of the World Health Organization said that "Gaza is spiralling out of control." There is nowhere safe. Hospitals are not safe and innocent people are without the very basic essentials of life - food, water and power. Israel must lift the siege of Gaza. Hamas and other armed groups must end deliberate attacks on civilians and release hostages. Time is of the essence. Far too many innocent lives have been lost, not just in the last fortnight, but all over the troubles.

The international community must come together and must encourage respect for the rules of international humanitarian law. It must ensure that states refrain from providing arms to either side of the conflict. It must ensure that humanitarian aid gets to the people who need it. Our own history has demonstrated that violence does not work. Dialogue, negotiation and engagement with all sides is the only thing that will bring about lasting peace. I want our Government to be to the fore in advocating for engagement, dialogue and a lasting peace in this region.

See this speech in context