'Ireland is deeply disturbed by the widespread disruption to aid operations in Gaza'

Taoiseach Simon Harris said there was now a 'catastrophic risk' of polio and other diseases in Gaza, due to the ongoing cancellation of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave

'Refusals of food and slow authorisation of passage, meaning fresh food perishes, is unconscionable and shameful,' Simon Harris said. Picture: AP /Abdel Kareem Hana

Refusals by Israel to allow food aid into Gaza is “unconscionable and shameful”, the Taoiseach has said.

Simon Harris said there was now a “catastrophic risk” of polio and other diseases in Gaza, due to the ongoing cancellation of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave.

In a statement, he said: “Ireland is deeply disturbed by the widespread disruption to aid operations in Gaza due to ongoing Israeli military evacuation orders.

“Every minute of every hour counts in saving lives in Gaza and the fact the UN had to suspend all operations around its central hub of Deir al-Balah yesterday is inexcusable and indefensible.” 

Mr Harris said the crisis was no longer an issue of Palestinians being killed by missiles, but raised concerns about the spread of disease in Gaza.

“ Polio has been detected and the United Nations last night confirmed 50,000 children born shortly before the war, or since, have not been immunised because of the collapse of the health system,” Mr Harris said.

The UN has rushed more than 600,000 polio vaccines to Gaza and the fact that this life-saving chain would be disrupted with evacuation orders should not be contemplated. 

The Taoiseach added the World Food Programme was reducing the contents of its food parcels, due to only half of the 24,000 metric tonnes of food aid reaching Gaza.

Taoiseach Simon Harris confirmed he was seeking information following reports Irish airspace was being used by Israeli aircraft to transport weapons from the US to Israel. Picture: Chani Anderson 

“Refusals of food and slow authorisation of passage, meaning fresh food perishes, is unconscionable and shameful,” he added.

Mr Harris said Ireland supported all efforts internationally to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, over 10 months on from the invasion of Gaza.

He said until a ceasefire was reached, the “troubling patter of a disruption of aid” needed to be called out and stopped.

All sides must abide by the International Court of Justice order to allow unhindered access for aid, he added.

The statement by Mr Harris comes after he confirmed he was seeking information following reports Irish airspace was being used by Israeli aircraft to transport weapons from the US to Israel.

Mr Harris said following reports from the Ditch website, he understood no consent was sought by Israeli authorities to carry weapons through Irish airspace.