Minister for Foreign Affairs Condemns Killing of UNWRA (UN Relief and Works Agency) Personnel in Gaza Air-Strikes

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D., has again today issued a strong condemnation of the continuing Israeli air-strikes which has now resulted in an estimated 300 people being killed since the air-strikes began Saturday.

“I particularly deplore that among the dead are one staff member and seven students with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) who were killed in Israeli air strikes yesterday. It is appalling that staff and students involved with a humanitarian agency such as UNWRA, which is headed by an Irish national, John Ging, and is performing such a vital role in providing humanitarian supplies and services to the population of Gaza, should die in this way.”

“I repeat that there is no military solution to the current situation in Gaza and join with others in the international community, including UN Secretary General Ban, in urging an immediate end to the Israeli military campaign and air strikes against Gaza as well as an end to all rocket attacks against southern Israel launched from Gaza.”

“The only viable solution at this stage is the restoration of a genuine and fully honoured ceasefire throughout Gaza and southern Israel. All crossing points into Gaza must also be opened immediately for the passage of vital humanitarian supplies and to enable agencies such as UNWRA to continue to play its vital, life-saving role”, concluded the Minister.

Ends+++
29th December 2008
Press Office