Israel’s targeting of Gaza refugee camps ‘absolutely unacceptable’: Irish minister

An Irish minister has called on Israel not to carry out military operations that risk the lives of civilians in the Gaza Strip.

"While recognizing Israel's right to self-defense, it has to be done proportionately, and in accordance with the international humanitarian law," Minister of State Thomas Byrne told Anadolu.

He said recent Israeli attacks on refugee camps in Gaza are "absolutely unacceptable, and deeply shocking actually for many people."

"We would call on Israel to, yes defend itself, but to do so in a way that is in accordance with international humanitarian law, and to keep civilians out of this, to keep children out of this as well," he stressed.

Byrne on Thursday met with European ministers in Berlin, where top officials discussed reforming the EU to make it a global actor, and the bloc's future enlargement.

During their bilateral meetings, ministers also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East.

Byrne told Anadolu that Ireland is gravely concerned about the latest developments and supports initiatives for an immediate humanitarian pause in Gaza to allow aid to civilians.

"We want a humanitarian pause in this conflict. Israel clearly has a right to defend itself after what Hamas did to Israel. But children need to be kept out of it, civilians need to be kept out of it," he reiterated.

The minister said Ireland believes that diplomatic efforts should be made to achieve a humanitarian pause and revive talks for a two-state solution.

"The idea for two-state solution has been Irish government policy for decades now at this point. And we need to get back to the reality of that, and working towards that, to make sure that the people of Palestine and people of Israel can live together," he said.

UN experts warned on Thursday that "time is running out to prevent genocide and humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza, as Israel's military campaign has killed more than 9,000 Palestinians, including over 6,000 women and children.

Over 32,000 people have been injured in Israeli attacks, while an estimated 1.4 million more have been displaced.

The conflict escalated dramatically after Hamas's military wing carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7 by firing thousands of rockets and sending hundreds of fighters into Israeli towns.

Israel has responded with relentless air and artillery strikes on the Gaza Strip, and recently expanded its campaign with ground operations against Hamas.

According to Israeli authorities, more than 1,500 Israelis have been killed and over 5,400 others injured in Hamas attacks, while over 240 people were taken as hostages to Gaza.