Mayor of Waterford joins growing calls for immediate end to Gaza atrocities

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Seamus Ryan, has backed urgent appeals from Ireland's political leaders for an end to the war in Gaza, describing the suffering as "devastating" and "unimaginable."

Fully endorsing recent statements by President Michael D Higgins, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and An Tánaiste Simon Harris, Cllr Ryan urged the UN to take swift action to halt the bloodshed.

"The suffering we are witnessing every day is devastating. It must end," he said.

"Men, women and children are being killed in their search for food and water, humanitarian aid is being blocked, and fundamental human rights are being violated. It behoves us all to speak out and not stand idly by as unimaginable horror, destruction and devastation are visited upon the Palestinian people.

"Don't let our silence speak volumes," he concluded.

His remarks come as global pressure mounts for a ceasefire.

Last month, the foreign ministers of 31 countries issued a joint statement on the Occupied Palestinian Territories calling for "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and warning that "further bloodshed serves no purpose."

Cllr Ryan said Waterford is standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people and reiterated that peace, humanitarian access, and respect for human rights must be prioritised without delay.

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