Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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45. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions that have taken place at EU Council level regarding an arms embargo on Israel; the positions Ireland has taken in any such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1358/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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There have been no formal talks at EU Council level regarding an arms embargo on Israel. National measures taken by EU Member States as well as international measures are discussed at the relevant Council Working Group as part of information exchanges. Ireland itself does not export arms to Israel.

We have seen credible reports by a number of internationally mandated institutions, bodies and representatives that serious violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law have been taking place throughout the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza.

In these circumstances, it is incumbent on all individual states to assess whether their relations with Israel are consistent with their obligations under international law. The implications of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice in July (on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory) must also be assessed by States.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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46. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the detention of a Palestinian doctor by the Israeli Defence Forces (details supplied); the engagements he has had with his international counterparts in respect of this case; if he will seek an intervention at EU level to advance the release of this doctor and other healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1367/25]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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48. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will urgently condemn the abduction and abuse of a doctor (details supplied) by the Israeli Defence Forces; if he will call for his immediate release and the cessation of violent attacks on medical staff and facilities in Gaza, which constitute grave breaches of international humanitarian law; and if he will outline the actions his Department is taking to demand accountability for these violations and to ensure Ireland upholds its commitments under the Geneva Conventions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1371/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have expressed my deep concern at the attack carried out by the Israeli Defence Forces on 27 December last targeting the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, during the course of which Dr Hussam Abu Safiya was detained. As noted by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, in his report of 31 December, the pattern of Israeli attacks on Gaza hospitals throughout the conflict in Gaza raises grave concerns about serious crimes under international law.

Ireland has, both bilaterally and at multilateral level, repeatedly called on Israel to comply with international law, stressing the universal applicability of international law, including international humanitarian law. I also welcome that, in March of this year, Switzerland will host a Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions on the protection of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The immediate priority remains the need for a hostage release and ceasefire deal and for a massive scale-up of humanitarian aid into Gaza. I warmly welcomed the announcement of the terms of such a deal on Wednesday 15 January and I urge all parties to commit to its urgent implementation.