Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt that there have been breaches of international humanitarian law and it continues on a systemic basis by Israel and by Hamas. I note the Deputy has not called out Hamas in his comments. I think he should do so because it could also lay down arms right now and contribute very significantly to a ceasefire. It could release the hostages. We need to be equally strong in calling on Hamas to lay down its arms and to release the hostages. It is unconscionable that people going about their daily lives can be captured and taken as hostages in situations like this.

The commission of inquiry report by the UN human rights office - the Volker Türk report - in its presentation to the Human Rights Council confirms what the Deputy and others have said about the violations and reported continued breaches of international humanitarian law and international human rights law by all parties. That has likewise been confirmed further by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights who published a detailed report on 19 June, which strongly indicates that the Israeli Defense Forces have systematically failed to comply with several fundamental principles of international humanitarian law in its conduct of the hostilities in Gaza since 7 October.

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