As I stated in my reply to the Deputy on 30 September 2025, Hamas is a terrorist organisation which offers the people of Gaza no future. Hamas is listed by the European Union as a terrorist organisation, unanimously agreed by all Member States. Ireland has repeatedly condemned Hamas and its terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, and has consistently called for the unconditional release of all hostages.
The New York Declaration, the outcome document of the International Conference on the Implementation of the Two-State Solution held in New York in July, states clearly that “in the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State.” The Declaration also states that “Gaza is an integral part of a Palestinian State and must be unified with the West Bank. There must be no occupation, siege, territorial reduction, or forced displacement.” The New York Declaration was endorsed by 142 UN Member states in a vote at the UN General Assembly on 12 September, including Ireland which was a Co-Chair of one of the International Conference Working Groups.
Ireland has, both bilaterally and at multilateral level, repeatedly called on Israel to comply with international law, stressing the universal applicability of international law, including international humanitarian law. Ireland has filed a Declaration of Intervention at the International Court of Justice in South Africa’s case against Israel under the Genocide Convention on 6 January. On 28 February of this year, Ireland also filed a detailed written submission within the ICJ in advisory proceedings concerning the obligations of Israel in relation to the UN and other international organisations, as well as states, in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, and has repeatedly called on Israel to completely and immediately lift its blockade and allow the full resumption of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza.
