Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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126. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps the Government is taking to ensure a lasting ceasefire and a consistent flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza; if he will outline the commitments received from the European Union to apply pressure on Israel to remove barriers to aid distribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57134/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I welcome that a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza has finally been secured, the release by Hamas of the remaining live hostages and the commitment to release the mortal remains of deceased hostages.

The ceasefire agreement and hostage release deal offers a moment of hope. In this first phase, preserving the ceasefire agreement and ensuring humanitarian aid enters Gaza at scale aid are a central focus of my engagement with my international counterparts, including EU colleagues.

The Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid has resulted in famine and untold horror for people in Gaza. Ireland stands ready to assist in every practical way to achieve long term and sustainable peace and to alleviate human suffering.

Last week, I announced an additional humanitarian package of €6 million for Palestine. This contribution brings Ireland’s support for the people of Palestine since October 2023 to more than €95 million, and support in 2025 to over €35 million.

The €6 million will be allocated as follows: €2 million to UNICEF, €2 million to OCHA, €1 million to the World Food Programme, and €1 million to the World Health Organisation.

Our partners will deliver life-saving humanitarian aid to people who urgently need it and this contribution will fund urgent food, medical care and other vital aid. It will bring much-needed relief to people, including children, some of whom have never known anything but this horrific war.

At the EU level, HRVP Kallas has been clear that the peace plan requires strong international backing to succeed and that the EU stands ready to do its part. The situation in Gaza and in the West Bank is being discussed at every level, and was at the centre of discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg yesterday. In my intervention at the meeting, I called for the EU to support the flooding of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The European Union can, and should, continue to use the levers at its disposal to exert pressure on Israel, including the opening of additional crossings to allow aid to reach all corners of the Strip rapidly.

The EU has said it stands ready to contribute to Gaza’s stabilisation and reconstruction, including the full use of the EU’s CSDP missions EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS. Ireland has been consistently supportive of the civilian CSDP mission EUBAM Rafah and has consistently stressed the need for an increase in humanitarian aid in Gaza. We contribute personnel to the mission to support its important activities.

Ireland will also continue our diplomatic efforts, stressing that the two-State solution must be at the centre of any sustainable peace deal. To achieve this goal, we will continue to provide support to the Palestinian Authority and will not lose sight of the developments in the West Bank, including unilateral actions that threaten the viability of the two-State solution. We will also continue to work with international partners, including those in the region, who are committed to these goals.