Irish peacekeepers should participate in future Gaza stabilisaiton force, says Andrews

Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews has cautiously welcomed the first steps toward a peace deal in Gaza.

“If this ceasefire deal is the first step of a real peace process, then it must be welcomed,” he said.

“If it is yet another deflection tactic, then the EU must be prepared to immediately apply trade sanctions on Israel.”

Andrews said, “the people of Gaza have suffered a horrific genocide and man-made famine. The families of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners have been deprived of their loved ones for far too long. We need a lasting ceasefire, we need massive UN aid to flow urgently, the IDF to withdraw and a real peace process to begin.

“If the proposed International Stabilisation Force for Gaza ever happens, with Palestinian and UN backing, then Ireland should be prepared to send peacekeepers as part of that deployment. The Irish Defence Forces have a proud record of peacekeeping around the world and can play an important part in helping to stabilize Gaza.

“However any such temporary force must be part of a credible peace process based on international law, with accountability for war crimes and a pathway to a two-state solution with security for both states.

“Following the international summit in Paris today, there also needs to be a follow up and wider summit of international leaders soon to discuss how to support the ceasefire deal and put in place the following steps towards peace.

“Given the geopolitical situation in many parts of the world today, including in the Middle East, the record Irish Aid allocation in Budget 2026 is thus to be welcomed,” he said.