Ireland joins five other European countries in rejecting "territorial change in Gaza"

Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has joined the Foreign Ministers of Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain in a joint statement regarding Israel today, Wednesday, May 7.

The five European Foreign Ministers expressed their "grave concern" about "the reported Israeli plans to expand its military operations in Gaza and to establish a prolonged Israeli presence in the Strip."

Reports about the Israeli plans emerged on Monday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing a "forceful operation in Gaza," the movement of Palestinian people, and Israel's intention not to leave Gaza.

"This would mean crossing yet another line, marking a dangerous new escalation and jeopardizing any prospects of a viable Two-State solution," the Foreign Ministers said.

"A further military escalation in Gaza will only exacerbate an already catastrophic situation for the civilian Palestinian population and threaten the lives of the hostages that remain in captivity.

"We firmly reject any demographic or territorial change in Gaza, including any scheme that would force or facilitate the permanent displacement of its population, which would be in violation of international law."

Joining today with my 🇮🇸 🇱🇺 🇳🇴 🇸🇮 and 🇪🇸 colleagues expressing our grave concern about the Israeli plans and actions in Gaza. The international community must act now at this decisive moment to avert further catastrophe. pic.twitter.com/XUbl3pMzj1

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 7, 2025

The Ministers continued: "We also strongly oppose a system that does not ensure that the entire population gets access to humanitarian aid.

"Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine, which belongs to the Palestinian people.

"For more than two months, Israeli authorities have blocked all humanitarian aid and commercial supplies from reaching the civilian Palestinian population in Gaza.

"Despite repeated calls on Israel to lift these measures and to facilitate relief, Israel has instead further tightened, rather than eased, the measures.

"We call on Israel to immediately lift the blockade. It is essential to facilitate relief for all civilians in need, without discrimination, and to follow the other humanitarian principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality.

"Together, we call on the Israeli authorities to show restraint.

"We further call on Israel to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, the unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance.

"What is needed more urgently than ever is a resumption of a ceasefire, and the unconditional release of all hostages.

"We reaffirm our unwavering support for the two-state solution — Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security."

Joining Harris in signing the letter are Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland; Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Luxembourg; Espen Barth Eide, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway; Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia; and José Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister for Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation of Spain.

The letter was issued the day after the Tánaiste again called for an "immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of all remaining hostages, and the resumption of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza" during his speech at the Global Ireland Summit in Dublin.

The Tánaiste's sentiments were echoed on Tuesday by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who added that Israel's behavior in Gaza "clearly constitutes a war crime."

On Monday, the Tánaiste urged Israeli authorities to exercise restraint in Gaza, and last week, he called on Israel to immediately lift its blockade on Gaza.