AP / Press Association Images A displaced Palestinian child collects water, at the Abu Hussein U.N. school, in Jebaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

THE SEANAD WILL cut its summer break short today when it meets to discuss the ongoing bloody conflict in Gaza.

The majority of senators are expected to attend today’s special sitting. As TheJournal.ie reported yesterday after contact with senators:

A total of 39 senators out of the 58 senators we enquired about have confirmed their attendance. Eight have confirmed they will be unable to attend. Two have said they are unsure at present. Nine have not responded to messages at the time of publication.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan is expected to address the chamber before the debate gets underway from 2pm today.

Also up for discussion alongside the Gaza conflict is the crisis in Ukraine.

One senator, who declined to be named, had described it as a “pain in the bum” that they were unable to make today’s meeting.

Fianna Fáil senator Mark Daly had earlier said that he wants to bring the ambassadors from Palestine and Israel before the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee.

Calls for action

AP / Press Association Images Displaced Palestinian youths look into a damaged classroom at the Abu Hussein U.N. school, in Jebaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, hit by an Israeli strike AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Amnesty International has called for clear action being taken.

Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland, said:

If today’s debate is to have a meaningful impact, it must adopt a clear resolution calling on Israel, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups to end this bloody conflict. There is compelling evidence that both sides are committing war crimes and appear to be wilfully ignoring international law. The Seanad must be a truthful witness to the atrocities, call out the perpetrators and demand corrective action.

He said that the time has come “for the international community to ensure that those accountable for war crimes are brought to justice”.

Read: ‘A right pain in the bum’: Most senators are coming back tomorrow… but some are on holidays>

Read: The Seanad is coming back on Thursday to discuss Gaza and Ukraine>

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