Ireland ‘prepared to take further action’ over Gaza, says Harris

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Ireland is “prepared to take further action” to bring about a ceasefire in the Middle East, the Tánaiste has said.

Simon Harris is one of 26 signatories to a joint statement on Monday which calls for an end to the war in Gaza.

Mr Harris, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the “suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths”.

He said Israel must immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid and urgently enable the UN to do “life-saving work safely and effectively” in the region, adding that Hamas must also release all hostages immediately.

The letter is signed by the foreign ministers of the UK, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

It is also signed by the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management.

It states that Israel must comply with obligations under international humanitarian law.

“The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity.

“We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.

“It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid. The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable.”

The ministers added: “The hostages cruelly held captive by Hamas since October 7 2023 continue to suffer terribly.

“We condemn their continued detention and call for their immediate and unconditional release.

“A negotiated ceasefire offers the best hope of bringing them home and ending the agony of their families.”

It says that proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a “humanitarian city” are completely unacceptable.

“Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law.”

The ministers also oppose steps for “demographic change in the Occupied Palestinian Territories”, including proposals for accelerated settlements in the West Bank.

The authors conclude: “We are prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region.”