'Don’t let our silence speak volumes' -Waterford Mayor Seamus Ryan calls for an end to atrocities in Gaza

Mayor of Waterford City and County Seamus Ryan has called an end to the atrocities taking place in Gaza. 

Within the last 22 months, over 60,000 Palestinian men, women and children have been killed due to Israeli military actions and bombardments. Thousands of people are facing forced starvation, as humanitarian aid into the region is being blocked by Israeli powers. 

Mayor Ryan 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."

Mayor Ryan echoed the recent joint statement given by 31 foreign ministers calling or an end to the terror: "We urge the parties and the international community to unite in a common effort to bring this terrible conflict to an end through an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire. Further bloodshed serves no purpose."