- Monday January 20th, 2025.
- My thoughts on the ceasefire deal in Gaza.
- Firstly, I would like to welcome the ceasefire agreement that has been reached which includes a hostage release accord and ceasefire deal.
- I urge all concerned to ensure that the deal is fully implemented, in all its phases.
- In Ireland, we know all too well that for peace to last, a peace process needs continual attention from both sides.
- Firstly, you need an agreed framework in place. Both sides in the negotiations need to see the outcome as fair.
- But this framework is just a beginning. Now the hard part starts.
- From the early 1970s through the mid-1990s, Northern Ireland was the site of bitter conflict.
- Peace only came from continual dialogue, not bombs.
- This ceasefire agreement is the roadmap, not the destination.
- Ireland remains convinced that implementation of the two-State solution is the only way to establish lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians.
- Far too many innocent people have been killed, in Gaza and in Israel, since this conflict commenced.
- Now 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.
- I sincerely hope this ceasefire heralds the beginning of a new dawn for people in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel – who just want to get on with their lives.
- There will be a key EU-Israel Association Council meeting on the 27th of February and this will be an opportunity for us to assess the progress, or otherwise, of the peace deal and how the EU can help to build a lasting peace.
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