Irish foreign minister condemns Israel's plans to expand military operation in Gaza

The Irish minister for foreign affairs and trade, as well as for defence, is the latest European official to condemn Israel’s plans to expand its war on Gaza in a statement released on X on Monday.

Simon Harris said the expansion of Israeli operations in Gaza was “alarming” and “would result in further deaths, casualties and untold suffering for the Palestinian population who already face a dire humanitarian situation”.

“What is happening to the people of Gaza is despicable and unconscionable,” he added, calling it a “human catastrophe”.

He urged Israel to “exercise restraint,” saying, “We need to see an immediate cessation of hostilities, release of remaining hostages and the resumption of humanitarian aid at scale into Gaza”.