52 young people from Gaza to arrive in Ireland to start new life in education

By Cate McCurry, PA

Fifty-two Palestinians from Gaza are to arrive in Ireland in the coming days to start as students in educational institutions across the island.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris, made the announcement of the imminent arrival of the group of Palestinians on Thursday.

The first group of 26 people are expected to arrive on Thursday, with the remaining students, who have all been offered scholarships by educational institutions, arriving between Friday and Sunday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including its embassies in Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Türkiye, have worked closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that the group could make this journey.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it has supported more than 200 people to leave Gaza and travel to Ireland since Israel began its attack in the region.

As exit from Gaza is dependent on receipt of permission from the relevant local authorities, both in Israel and neighbouring jurisdictions, such assistance often rests outside the control of the Government of Ireland, the department said.

Mr Harris said in a statement: “I welcome the arrival of these Palestinian young people to Ireland, and wish them every success with their studies here.

“I want to thank our diplomatic and consular staff in the region and at headquarters for their huge efforts to bring about this outcome.

“We remain gravely concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the recent decision of the Israeli authorities to escalate their military offensive.

“This will only exacerbate the current suffering and ever-rising number of civilian casualties.

“Famine has been declared in parts of the Gaza Strip and is projected to spread further in the coming weeks.

“There is no justification for this man-made humanitarian crisis.

“Ireland has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire agreement and permanent end to hostilities, for the immediate release of all hostages and for the rapid, unimpeded and large-scale entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”