Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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186. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide details on any engagement he or his officials have had with the Israeli government following Israeli bombardment of a hospital in Gaza where Irish medical personnel were working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15498/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The situation in Israel and Palestine is a priority for this Government.

The immediate focus of the international community must be on bringing hostilities to an immediate end and for all parties to return to talks aimed at implementing the second phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal. I condemn the resumed Israeli airstrikes and ground operation in Gaza, which have brought fresh suffering to the people of Gaza and have breached the ceasefire. A return to hostilities is disastrous for the people of Gaza, and for the hostages and their families. Our focus must also be on the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza at scale, and the release of the remaining hostages.

The attack carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on 23 March targeting the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza’s largest remaining functional hospital, was deeply concerning. As noted by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, in his report of 31 December 2024, 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. All parties must respect international humanitarian law at all times. Hospitals and health facilities, medical and humanitarian personnel, must be protected.

Through our Embassies in the region, my Department is in contact with many of the humanitarian and medical workers in Gaza. In most cases, the parent organisation provides arrangements for their security and rotation from Gaza. However, the Department stands ready to provide consular assistance if requested.

My Department has been providing consular assistance and advice to Irish citizens and their immediate families in Gaza since the beginning of the conflict in 2023. In this period, my Department has assisted the departure of 120 Irish citizens and dependents of Irish citizens from Gaza.

Ireland is using all the tools at its disposal- political, legal, diplomatic and humanitarian- in response to this dreadful conflict.