Sinn Féin’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Seán Crowe TD, has described unfolding events in Gaza as appalling, after the small besieged region was bombed 50 times in the last 24 hours.

He has also called for the release of the Palestinian hunger striker, Bilal Kayed.

Deputy Crowe said:

“I am absolutely appalled at what is happening to the people trapped in the besieged area of Gaza

“It is reported that over the past 24 hours there was 50 attacks from Israeli jets and tanks, and that several Palestinians are wounded.

“I am completed outraged and appalled at Israel’s continued indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, which Israel illegally besieges by land, air and sea.

“Under the catch all term of security Israel continues to turn the area into an environmental wasteland, without any regard for the impact it is having on the civilian population.

“Palestinians living in the besieged area are denied, or allowed limited, access to food, medicine, electricity, clean water, and building supplies. It’s sanitary and sewerage plants have been destroyed, it’s sporting and community facilities bombarded, and its residents forced to live in grinding poverty, denied access to travel or leave its narrow landmass.

“Israel needs to stop its indiscriminate bombing of Gaza and lift its illegal blockade on the area, which amounts to collective punishment. This latest bombing needs to stop and brokered agreements that led to the last cessation of the Gaza conflict implemented.”

Crowe continued:

“I am also conscious that tensions are exacerbated and continue to run high in the region as Bilal Kayed enters his 69^th day on hunger strike. Kayed was imprisoned by the Israelis without charge or trial for his alleged affiliation with the left-wing Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

“The Israeli authorities must take immediate steps to release Bilal and to end its policy of imprisoning Palestinians without charge or trials under so called ‘administrative detention’, which is completely contrary to the principles of natural justice and international law.”

ENDS