The Taoiseach has called on Israel and Palestinian militants to cease fire immediately.
Micheal Martin says he's 'absolutely horrified' at the violence, which has left around 200 people dead.
A number of Israeli strikes hit Gaza in the early hours of this morning, with Hamas now retaliating with rockets.
He's also described the Israeli military response as 'wholly disproportionate':
A message on the appalling violence in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/0JcYYpLU9e
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 17, 2021
United Nations Providing Emergency Food
Meanwhile the United Nations is providing emergency food assistance to thousands of people in Gaza.
It's UN World Food Programme says it's giving electronic food vouchers to over 50,000 people.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas is entering a second week.
However both sides have ignored international calls for a ceasefire..
This six-year-old Palestinian child was reunited with her father after being trapped beneath the rubble of her home for seven hours after an Israeli air strike hit their building, killing her mother and four siblings.
Follow our LIVE coverage: https://t.co/MqzUONqSKd pic.twitter.com/l1BuWINDFo
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) May 17, 2021
Israel Cracking Down On Media Presence In Gaza
Middle East correspondent with the Independent is Patrick Cockburn.
However he says Israel is cracking down on international media coverage:
"It appears that correspondents in Jerusalem which is not far from Gaza, or Tel Aviv, are not able to get Israeli permission to go into Gaza."
"So there's a great incentive from the Israeli point of view, to minimise international press coverage."
An Israeli airstrike destroyed the Al Jazeera office in Gaza. The Israeli military warned they would hit the building that houses media organizations including the AP.
Journalists who worked there had been reporting on the Israeli attacks on Gaza. pic.twitter.com/fZVo3TFEoO— AJ+ (@ajplus) May 15, 2021
Around 200 People Have Died
Meanwhile the Palestinian militant group Hamas has fired a large barrage of rockets towards Israel.
It follows dozens of Israeli air strikes on Gaza this morning.
Around 200 people have died since the violence began last week.
Adding to that Patrick says Hamas are determined to continue.
That's despite the Israeli military strength.
"It's an extraordinary situation, where you have 2 million people pent up, unable to get out."
"They're living in poverty, crammed together."
Finally, he says:
"So it is a sort of a cry of despair."
