EU must not allow Beirut to become another Gaza, says Andrews

Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews has said that the European Union cannot allow Beirut to “become another Gaza” as Israel continues with it’s second invasion of Lebanon in 18 months.

Speaking after returning from Beirut, where he visited ground operations of humanitarian agencies, the Fianna Fáil MEP said “the IDF has made clear it intends to expel the hundreds of thousands of residents of not just southern Lebanon, where Irish UNIFIL troops are based, but also residents of southern Beirut.”

“The world cannot tolerate another Gaza-scale massacre. Too many innocent men, women and children have been killed. World leaders must stop this aggression,” he said.

“President von der Leyen must put sanctions against Israel on the table once again. Empty political statements have no effect on the Netanyahu government.”

“In Beirut, I visited humanitarian operations on the ground and have seen up close the vital work of brave humanitarian agency staff, witnessed the damage from IDF bombings and seen so many people who were driven from their homes now living on the streets without even basic facilities.”

“The terrorist organisation Hezbollah must also cease firing rockets into civilian areas of Israel. All sides must deescalate and find a negotiated solution,” Andrews stated.

“There is potentially a huge refugee wave coming towards Europe due to this latest Israeli aggression,” he warned.