Watch: Ireland urges Netanyahu to end Gaza war 'as quickly as possible'

Irish Foreign minister Micheal Martin attends a joint press conference with his German counterpart at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin, on January 18, 2024. Photo: Michele Tantussi/AFP via Getty Images)

Ireland’s foreign minister on Thursday (January 18) urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza as "quickly as possible" adding that a military solution will not resolve the conflict.

During a visit to Berlin, Micheal Martin also reacted to local media reports in Israel quoting Netanyahu as saying the war will "continue until the end, until we complete all our goals: the return of the hostages, the elimination of Hamas, and the promise that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel."

“It’s absolutely unacceptable that the prime minister of Israel will say that this war will go on until 2025. Too many innocent lives are being lost, too many children are losing their lives and you cannot resolve a situation like this by military means alone," Martin told reporters.

Netanyahu's comments were reportedly made on Wednesday (January 17) during a meeting with leaders of Gaza border communities.