DEIR AL-BALAH, the Gaza Strip — Israel announced Sunday that it will close its embassy in Ireland as ties deteriorated due to the war in Gaza, where Palestinian medical sources reported that new Israeli bombings killed more than 46 Palestinians, including numerous children. The decision to close the embassy was made in reaction to what Israel’s foreign minister described as Ireland’s “extreme anti-Israel policies.” Israel recalled its ambassador to Dublin in May, after Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Slovenia announced their recognition of a Palestinian state. The Irish Cabinet resolved last week to formally intervene in South Africa’s complaint against Israel before the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Israel disputes this.

“We are concerned that a narrow definition of genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which civilian protection is minimized,” said Micheal Martin, Ireland’s foreign affairs minister. In response to the embassy closure, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that “Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel.”

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the decision to close the embassy was “deeply regrettable.” On X, he stated, “I categorically deny that Ireland is anti-Israel.” Ireland supports peace, human rights, and international law. Israeli strikes in Gaza killed a journalist and children.Israeli soldiers continued to pound Gaza on Sunday, especially the mainly isolated north, as the Palestinian death toll topped 45,000. On Sunday night, a massive explosion lit up the skyline in southern Gaza. According to Nasser Hospital, an Israeli aircraft struck a school in the southern city of Khan Younis, killing at least 16 people. There was no immediate statement from the Israeli military. In the north, an airstrike hit the Khalil Aweida school in town.

The dead included two parents and their daughter and a father and his son, the hospital said.