Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

271. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has engaged with the Israeli authorities regarding the ongoing blockade that has prevented four Irish-funded aid trucks, waiting in Jordan, from entering Gaza; and the steps being taken to ensure the urgent delivery of this and other humanitarian aid. [23582/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On 2 March the Israeli authorities announced a halt to humanitarian aid entering Gaza. No humanitarian assistance has been allowed in since then. Aid provided by Ireland is impeded by the same restrictions affecting all humanitarian aid to Gaza. Ireland has two consignments of humanitarian aid in Amman, Jordan, awaiting entry to Gaza. They include shelter items for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) under Ireland’s Rapid Response Initiative, and a food aid consignment to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), organised by our Embassy in Jordan.

Both consignments had received approval to enter Gaza but were unable to do so following the imposition by Israel of the blockade. They are currently being stored in warehouses. The Department is maintaining close engagement with the JHCO and IOM, who will arrange transport as soon as possible.

Ireland has provided over €87 million in support to the people of Palestine since January 2023. So far in 2025, Ireland we have provided €21.6 million, including €20 million in core funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in February. This brought Ireland’s support to UNRWA to €58 million since the beginning of 2023. We have also been providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza through other agencies including the World Food Programme and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Society. Ireland’s support also includes the delivery in 2023 and 2024 of over 116 tonnes of relief supplies through our rapid response initiative.

Ireland’s position on the current situation was made very clear in the Tánaiste’s joint statement with Foreign Ministers of Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain in recent days. It called on Israel to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, the unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance. What is needed more urgently than ever is a resumption of a ceasefire, and the unconditional release of all hostages.