Taoiseach, President welcome Gaza ceasefire following '15 months of immense human suffering and destruction'

Taoiseach Simon Harris has welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal following “15 months of immense human suffering and destruction”.

Mr Harris said he hoped the deal will now receive the formal approval of the Israeli government.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal which promises the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, and would allow hundreds of thousands of people displaced in Gaza to return to what remains of their homes.

I hope that all sides will seize this opportunity, fully honouring their commitments, allowing hostages to return to their families

Mr Harris said: “The brutal war we have witnessed has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians, including more than 17,000 innocent and vulnerable children.

“More than 100,000 have been physically injured or maimed, many of them losing limbs or suffering other life-altering injuries.

“Hostages have been held in captivity for more than 465 days, away from their families and loved ones.

“They too have endured the most horrific suffering and distress.

“I hope that all sides will seize this opportunity, fully honouring their commitments, allowing hostages to return to their families and the people of Gaza to begin rebuilding their lives and I hope that it will lead to a permanent arrangement.”

The Taoiseach said the international community must play its part by working to “put a process in place that can lead to lasting peace”.

He said: “This will only be achieved through a two-state solution, with the state of Israel living in peace and security alongside a sovereign state of Palestine.

Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin said the ceasefire deal had been a ‘long-awaited development’ (Brian Lawless/PA)

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said it had been a “long-awaited development”.

He said: “We need to see a massive scale-up of humanitarian aid into Gaza, return of basic services and a clear framework under which those displaced as part of the conflict can return.

“Palestinian Authority governance is crucial in this regard, as is the role of UN and humanitarian agencies, including UNRWA, who must be allowed to operate fully and without hindrance.

“I commend the facilitators, notably the US, Egypt and Qatar, for their sustained efforts over recent months and urge that these discussions are sustained with a view to ensuring full implementation of this agreement.”

Statement by President Higgins on ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas

"The announcement of a ceasefire and hostage release agreement will be welcomed by all those in a region where a war has been causing such suffering for the last 15 months.

A huge price in human life has been paid, initially by those in Israel who suffered horrific murder, assault and kidnapping, followed by a response which has led to horrific loss of life and the devastation of the space of those living in Gaza, the majority of the victims of which have been women and children.

This is an agreement which will be welcomed by those at the edge of survival itself.

The agreement has been anxiously awaited by the families who have had to wait since the attacks by Hamas on 7th October 2023 for news on the wellbeing of their relatives who had been taken hostage. In some cases, the coming days may bring news of the death of family members which will be a matter of the deepest grief.

All those in Gaza who have mourned their relatives or who are searching in the rubble for news of their relatives will equally have welcomed this ceasefire.

Most importantly, this agreement must be utilised to deliver the massive scale up in humanitarian aid which is urgently needed to save more lives.

It is important that all remaining hostages are released and that all phases of the agreement are fully implemented.

All those concerned in the international community will want to thank those who have participated in arriving at this point for their patience and commitment to bringing an end to the terrible suffering.

It is to be hoped that today's agreement will not only bring an end to the horrific loss of life and destruction which has taken place, but that it will also be the beginning of a meaningful discussion and sustained diplomatic initiative from the international community to bring a lasting peace and security to Israel, Palestine and the greater region - a peace for which so many have hoped for so long.

This will be a difficult road, but a road that must be traveled if those who have suffered on both sides are to envision a future of security and peace."