Written answers
Tuesday, 25 February 2025
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Middle East
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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193. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on his engagement with the state of Egypt regarding the thousands of displaced Palestinians in the state and efforts to ensure that they are receiving sufficient humanitarian assistance and have access to services. [7887/25]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Egypt is an important partner for Ireland on the Middle East and has played a key role in responding to the current crisis in Gaza. Together with Qatar and the United States, Egypt facilitated negotiations with Hamas and with Israel on a ceasefire and hostage release deal. In December 2024, Egypt hosted a humanitarian conference on Gaza in Cairo, as part of efforts to increase international support for humanitarian access and aid to the population in Gaza. This meeting was attended by our Ambassador in Cairo. Shortly thereafter, Egypt assisted the medical evacuation of eight patients and their families to Ireland. Egypt is also playing an important role in coordinating the re-deployment of EUBAM Rafah, the EU civilian border assistance mission, along with the Palestinian Authority and Israeli authorities at the Rafah Border Crossing.
Egypt also hosted the fourth meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in Cairo on 17 February, which was attended at official level by my Department. This meeting focused on the work of UNRWA, which is irreplaceable for millions of Palestinian refugees in the region.
I have had regular engagement with my Egyptian counterpart, including as part of the Government’s continued efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In December 2024, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty accompanied Egyptian President El-Sisi on a visit to Ireland and I hosted the delegation in my then capacity as Taoiseach. Earlier this month, I held a meeting with Minister Abdelatty during the Munich Security Conference, where we discussed the situation in Gaza. I also had the opportunity to engage with Minister Abdelatty at the recent G20 Foreign Ministers' Ministerial in Johannesburg
Ireland’s priority will continue to be supporting implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, in all its phases. All hostages must be released. In addition to continuing humanitarian assistance at scale into Gaza, we need to see a return of basic services and a clear framework under which those displaced as part of the conflict can return. Ireland, like Egypt, has been clear that there can be no forced displacement of the civilian population in Gaza, nor occupation of the Strip by Israel.
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