Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris joined colleagues from 21 countries and the EU in a statement on Monday, May 19, urging Israel to allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately.
Monday's joint statement was issued after UN officials announced that Israeli authorities had temporarily allowed for the resumption of delivery of "limited aid" into Gaza.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on Friday that humanitarian aid and supplies had not entered the Gaza Strip since March 2.
Monday's joint statement, signed by the Tánaiste, said: "Whilst we acknowledge indications of a limited restart of aid, Israel blocked humanitarian aid entering Gaza for over two months.
"Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted. The population faces starvation. Gaza’s people must receive the aid they desperately need.
"Prior to the aid block, the UN and humanitarian NGOs delivered aid into Gaza, working with great courage, at the risk of their lives and in the face of major access challenges imposed by Israel.
"These organisations subscribe to upholding humanitarian principles, operating independently, with neutrality, impartiality and humanity. They have the logistical capacity, expertise and operational coverage to deliver assistance across Gaza to those who need it most.
"Israel’s security cabinet has reportedly approved a new model for delivering aid into Gaza, which the UN and our humanitarian partners cannot support. They are clear that they will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles.
"Humanitarian principles matter for every conflict around the world and should be applied consistently in every warzone.
"The UN has raised concerns that the proposed model cannot deliver aid effectively, at the speed and scale required. It places beneficiaries and aid workers at risk, undermines the role and independence of the UN and our trusted partners, and links humanitarian aid to political and military objectives.
"Humanitarian aid should never be politicised, and Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change.
"As humanitarian donors, we have two straightforward messages for the Government of Israel: allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity.
"We remain committed to meeting the acute needs we see in Gaza.
"We also reiterate our firm message that Hamas must immediately release all remaining hostages and allow humanitarian assistance to be distributed without interference.
"It is our firm conviction that an immediate return to a ceasefire and working towards the implementation of a two-state solution are the only way to bring peace and security to Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long-term stability for the whole region."
The suffering in Gaza is unbearable.
Children are starving, hospitals are collapsing and the humanatarian situation is catastrophic.
With colleagues from 21 countries and the EU, I urgently call again for immediate & unhindered humanitarian aid and for the killing to end. pic.twitter.com/eCo1esxgMf
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 19, 2025
In addition to the Tánaiste, Monday's joint statement was signed by the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.
It was also signed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, and the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean.
Tom Fletcher, the UN's humanitarian affairs chief, announced earlier on Monday that Israeli authorities had temporarily allowed them to resume delivery of limited aid into Gaza.
Nine trucks from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) were cleared to enter via the Kerem Shalom crossing on Monday, Fletcher said.
"But it is a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed, and significantly more aid must be allowed into Gaza, starting tomorrow morning," he added.
Fletcher acknowledged that "given ongoing bombardment and acute hunger levels, the risks of looting and insecurity are significant." He said that to reduce looting, "there must be a regular flow of aid, and humanitarians must be permitted to use multiple routes."
OCHA, Fletcher said, is calling upon Israel to open at least two crossings into Gaza, one in the north and another in the south; simplify and expedite procedures; and remove any quotas; lift access impediments within Gaza and not conduct attacks in areas and times of deliveries; and allow it to cover the whole range of needs – food, water, hygiene, shelter, health, fuel, gas and beyond."
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