Over 50,000 electronic food vouchers being distributed
The United Nations is providing emergency food assistance to thousands of people in Gaza.
The UN World Food Programme is distributing electronic food vouchers to over 50,000 people in the north of the region.
It comes as the conflict between Israel and Hamas has entered a second week, with calls for a ceasefire ignored.
Middle East correspondent with the Independent, Patrick Cockburn, says Israel is cracking down on international media coverage:
The Taoiseach has called on militants to cease fire immediately.
Micheál Martin says he's "absolutely horrified" at the violence.
A message on the appalling violence in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/0JcYYpLU9e
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 17, 2021
The Taoiseach described the Israeli military response as 'wholly disproportionate':
Last night, there were 50 airstrikes within 10 minutes on Gaza last night, as tensions between Israel and Palestinians continues.
200 people have died since this latest spate of fighting began last week - the fatalities have been primarily Palestinians.
The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire to end what it says is a "senseless cycle of bloodshed."
Secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, says the violence has to stop:
The current violence in Gaza & Israel only perpetuates the cycles of death, destruction & despair, and pushes farther to the horizon any hopes of coexistence & peace.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 16, 2021
Fighting must stop immediately.
The @UN is actively engaging all sides towards an immediate ceasefire.
Middle East correspondent with the Independent is Bel Trew - she says the fighting doesn't look like ending soon:
Fighting in the region began a week ago.
Yesterday, at the UN Security Council meeting, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney raised the plight of the 54 children who haveve died in the conflict since last Monday.
Min @simoncoveney speaking at open debate at the @UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East calls for de -escalation & an immediate cessation of attacks. pic.twitter.com/MBJIpiLwXn
— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) May 16, 2021
Minister Coveney says it's reprehensible that children as young as 6-months have lost their lives:
Middle East correspondent with the Independent, Patrick Cockburn, says Israel wants to punish Gaza:
Middle East Correspondent, Bel Trew, added there has been international criticism of Israel's bombing of a media building in Gaza:
In the UK, the Community Security Trust says four people have been arrested after video footage of anti-Semitic slurs being shouted at a convoy of cars in north London, emerged on social media.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, joined the British Prime Minister and UK Labour leader in condemning it.
Hate crimes are inexcusable and have no place in our city. I’ve been in touch with the Met Police Commissioner about the appalling reports of antisemitic attacks this weekend.
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) May 16, 2021
There will be extra police patrols carried out in the city.
Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, says tensions in the region will always come to the boil if root causes are not dealt with:
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