Israel to close Ireland embassy over Gaza tensions as Palestinian death toll nears 45,000

Israel announced on Sunday that it will shutter its embassy in Ireland amidst escalating tensions over the conflict in Gaza, where Palestinian officials report that recent Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of more than 30 individuals, including several children. The move to close the embassy is a direct response to what Israel's Foreign Minister has labelled as Ireland's "extreme anti-Israel policies."

Earlier in May, Israel had withdrawn its ambassador from Dublin following Ireland's decision—joined by Norway, Spain, and Slovenia—to recognise a Palestinian state.

Last week, the Irish government resolved to formally participate in South Africa's lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, an allegation Israel vehemently denies.

"We are concerned that a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimized," stated Micheal Martin, Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs. Gideon Saar, the Israeli Foreign Minister, expressed his stance on the embassy closure, asserting that "Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel."

Simon Harris, the Irish Prime Minister, described the closure of the embassy as "deeply regrettable." He firmly dismissed the notion that Ireland holds an anti-Israel stance, saying: "I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law."

Meanwhile, Israeli military operations continued unabated in the largely cut-off northern region of Gaza, with the Palestinian casualty count in the ongoing war nearing 45,000.

One airstrike targeted the Khalil Aweida school in Beit Hanoun, resulting in at least 15 fatalities, as reported by the nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital where the injured were taken. The casualties included a couple and their daughter, as well as a father and his son, the hospital confirmed.

In Gaza City, a series of three airstrikes hit homes housing displaced individuals, leading to the deaths of at least 17 people, among them six women and five children, Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital stated. "We woke up to the strike. I woke up with the rubble on top of me," recounted Yahia al-Yazji, who was mourning the loss of his wife and daughter.

"I found my wife with her head and skull visible, and my daughter’s intestines were gone. My wife was three months pregnant."

He spoke while resting his hand on a body shrouded in a blanket on the ground. The Israeli military announced it had targeted a "terrorist cell" in Gaza City and a "terrorist meeting point" in Beit Hanoun.

Another air raid claimed the life of Palestinian journalist Ahmed al-Lawh, who worked for Al Jazeera, as confirmed by a hospital and the Qatari-based broadcaster. This strike impacted a location used by Gaza’s civil defense agency in the densely populated Nuseirat refugee camp, Al-Awda Hospital reported.

Additionally, three civil defense workers, including the head of the agency in Nuseirat, were killed, as per information from al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital. The civil defense serves as Gaza's principal rescue organization and functions under the governance of Hamas.

The conflict in Gaza was triggered when Hamas and other militants from the region launched an attack on southern Israel on 7th October 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and over 200 hostages. In response, Israel's counter-offensive has led to nearly 45,000 Palestinian deaths, as reported by Gaza's Health Ministry.

The ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its count, but it states that more than half of those killed have been women and children.