Dublin: Tánaiste Simon Harris has announced an additional €20 million in support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides vital assistance to people in Gaza, the West Bank, and Palestinian refugees across the Middle East.
Highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza—with over 47,500 deaths and more than 111,000 injuries, mostly among women and children—Harris emphasised Ireland’s commitment to humanitarian aid. Since 2023, Ireland has provided over €63 million in support, with €51 million allocated since October to bolster humanitarian relief, education, healthcare, and human rights initiatives.
Harris underscored UNRWA’s critical role, noting it delivered over 60% of supplies during the initial ceasefire phase and supports education for over 300,000 children in Gaza. He also expressed concern over new Israeli legislation targeting UNRWA, urging Israel to reconsider and calling for increased international funding.
The announcement follows comments from Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who claimed that countries like Ireland, Spain, and Norway—critical of Israel’s military actions—should accept Palestinian refugees. Katz also revealed plans to facilitate large-scale Palestinian departures from Gaza, aligned with proposals from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
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