Tánaiste announces additional €20 million for aid agency UNRWA

Tánaiste Simon Harris has announced an additional €20 million in support from Ireland for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides assistance to people in Gaza, the West Bank, and Palestine refugees across the Middle East.

The Government said the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic, with at least 47,540 people killed and more than 111,000 injured, the majority of whom were women and children.

Ireland warmly welcomed the hostage release and ceasefire agreement in Gaza and has echoed calls for the return of all hostages to their families. The hostage release and ceasefire deal must be fully implemented in all its phases, they said.

Ireland has provided over €63 million in support of the Palestinian people since the beginning of 2023.

Of this, more than €51 million has been provided in assistance since October 2023. The funding has supported the humanitarian response, strengthened education and health services and protected human rights in the…