Irish peacekeepers should participate in any future Gaza stabilisation force, says MEP

Ottoline Spearman

An MEP has cautiously welcomed the beginnings of a Gaza peace deal, and has said that Irish peacekeepers should participate in any future Gaza stabilisation force.

Barry Andrews, Member of the European Parliament for the Dublin constituency and Fianna Fáil party member, said that he would welcome the ceasefire deal if it is the first step of a real peace process, but that the EU must be prepared to immediately apply trade sanctions to Israel if it is "yet another deflection tactic".

"The people of Gaza have suffered a horrific genocide and man-made famine. The families of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners have been deprived of their loved ones for far too long.

"We need a lasting ceasefire, we need massive UN aid to flow urgently, the IDF to withdraw and a real peace process to begin."

Speaking about the proposed International Stabilisation Force for Gaza, Mr Andrews said that the Defence forces should be prepared to send peacekeepers, with Palestinian and UN backing.

"The Irish Defence Forces have a proud record of peacekeeping around the world and can play an important part in helping to stabilize Gaza.

"However, any such temporary force must be part of a credible peace process based on international law, with accountability for war crimes and a pathway to a two-state solution with security for both states.

“Following the international summit in Paris today, there also needs to be a follow-up and wider summit of international leaders soon to discuss how to support the ceasefire deal and put in place the following steps towards peace.

"Given the geopolitical situation in many parts of the world today, including in the Middle East, the record Irish Aid allocation in Budget 2026 is thus to be welcomed."