Taoiseach condemns Israeli attack on UNRWA aid workers

Since last October, more than 220 UNRWA staff have been killed in Gaza.

The workers died in an attack on a school where thousands of displaced Palestinians were seeking shelter.

Mr Harris said: “Earlier this week we saw a UN convoy delivering polio vaccines to children in Gaza shot at, with staff threatened by Israeli military forces.

We must never allow this to become the norm, and we must never take for granted that humanitarian workers risk their own lives to help others.

“We are deeply grateful for the work they are doing and Ireland will continue to stand with the UN and UNRWA as they carry out their vital work.

“We must also ensure that those who commit war crimes are held accountable.

“I look forward to personally expressing my condolences to the UN Secretary-General [Antonio] Guterres when I visit the UN later this month.

“I again call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and unhindered access for humanitarian aid to Gaza.”

Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin said there was an obligation to protect humanitarian workers after six UNRWA staff were killed in an Israeli attack.

“I condemn the Israeli airstrikes that killed six UNRWA staff in Gaza,” Martin said in a statement.

“Humanitarian workers are taking extraordinary risks to provide people with vital food and relief supplies.

“There is an obligation to protect them.”