Statement from Taoiseach Simon Harris

My thoughts are with the staff of the United Nations as they mourn the loss of six UNRWA colleagues killed in an Israeli attack on a school where thousands of displaced Palestinians were sheltering.

Since last October, more than 220 UNRWA staff have been killed in Gaza.

Earlier this week, we saw shots fired at a UN convoy distributing polio vaccines to protect children in Gaza, with staff threatened by Israeli military forces.

We must never allow this to be normalised or take for granted the risks humanitarian workers take with their own lives to help others.

We are deeply grateful for the work that they do and Ireland will continue to stand with the UN and with UNRWA as it carries out its vital work.

We must also ensure accountability for those who perpetrate war crimes.

I look forward to extending my condolences in person to UN Secretary General Guterres when I visit the UN later this month.

I again call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and unimpeded access to aid in Gaza.

ENDS