Simon Harris

The first 26 of 52 Palestinians arrived yesterday, with the remaining students arriving between today and Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

The Department, including its embassies in Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Turkey, said it has worked closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that the group could make this journey.

Since the beginning of the crisis in Gaza, the Department has supported more than 200 people to leave Gaza and travel to Ireland.

As exit from Gaza is dependent on receipt of permission from the relevant local authorities, both in Israel and neighbouring jurisdictions, such assistance often rests outside the control of the Irish government.

Simon Harris, the Tánaiste and minister for foreign affairs and trade, said: “I welcome the arrival of these Palestinian young people to Ireland, and wish them every success with their studies here.

“I want to thank our diplomatic and consular staff in the region and at headquarters for their huge efforts to bring about this outcome.

“We remain gravely concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the recent decision of the Israeli authorities to escalate their military offensive. This will only exacerbate the current suffering and ever-rising number of civilian casualties.

“Famine has been declared in parts of the Gaza Strip and is projected to spread further in the coming weeks. There is no justification for this man-made humanitarian crisis.

“Ireland has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire agreement and permanent end to hostilities, for the immediate release of all hostages and for the rapid, unimpeded and large-scale entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”