Micheál Martin "deeply moved" by release of Israeli hostages in Gaza

Martin paid tributes to the released hostages and spoke about the footage of their reunions. Hamas released all 20 of the Israeli hostages as part of an exchange for roughly 2,000 Palestinians held captive by Israel.

The Palestinian group includes 250 prisoners, but also around 1,700 taken from Gaza and held without charge.

Martin stated: ‘Like people all around the world, I am deeply moved by the scenes of hostages held by Hamas for more than two long years finally being reunited with their families.

‘I pay enormous tribute to the patient work of all those who have brought us to this day, including the US, Qatar, Egypt and other partners.

‘I am also thinking of the challenges faced by the people of Gaza as they return to their homes and the scale of devastation that they face.’

 Martin said that along with a surge of humanitarian aid, immediate steps are needed to support the people of Gaza and provide vital services as winter approaches.

He remarked that the ceasefire agreement is the ‘first step on a road to peace’ and all parties must adhere to it over the coming days and weeks.

He continued: ‘Now is the time to seize the momentum and to begin the task of building a just and lasting peace in the region, based on a two-state solution.

‘We in Ireland know how long and difficult that journey can be, but we stand ready to assist in any way that we can.’

Simon Harris shared similar sentiments as he described the agreement as a ‘major step forward for peace’ and said it was a day that many families feared would never come.

The Tánaiste said: ‘We think of all the hostages this morning and their families as they are reunited. No peace plan is perfect. Such a thing does not exist.

‘We know that from our own complex history, but we also know how even the most complex conflicts and wars can end if everyone commits to peace and political pathways.’

Harris said Ireland remains ready to assist in any way it can, and is already assisting through the provision of humanitarian aid to the ‘starving people in Gaza’.

He added: ‘Today, after more than two years of horror, pain and unimaginable loss of life, there is a ray of hope.’

Harris also said that he has directed his officials to prepare Ireland to do more in this area.

He wants to work closely with international partners and agencies on the ground ‘to help in every way we can’.

The Israeli military is set to withdraw from the majority of Gaza.

They have told Palestinian families not to hold public celebrations of their loved ones’ release and instructed some not to speak to the media.

U.S. President Donald Trump is currently in the region to continue the peace talks.

He claimed: ‘There are 500,000 people, yesterday and today, in Israel, and also the Muslim and Arab countries are all cheering. Everybody’s cheering at one time – that’s never happened before.

‘Usually, if you have one cheering, the other isn’t – the other is the opposite. This is the first time everybody is amazed, and they’re thrilled. 

‘It’s an honour to be involved, and we’re going to have an amazing time, and it’s going to be something that’s never, never happened before.’

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.