
Gaza rescuers say 12 killed in Israeli strike on shelter
A civil defence official said the strike hit the Mustafa Hafez School, which he said was sheltering displaced people in the Al-Rimal neighbourhood in western Gaza City.
The Israeli military said it "will try to look into" the report.
Separately, Ireland is to provide €4 million to support children in Palestine access education.
The funding will be used to support the delivery of teacher training, provide school materials and help rebuild school buildings in war torn Gaza.
it bring to €26m Ireland's support for the people of Gaza and Palestine this year.
Ireland has provided almost €80m in funding since October 2023, when the war between Israel and Hamas began following the Hamas attack on southern Israel.
In a statement, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said Ireland's support for schools is a critical part of the country's "longstanding partnership with Palestine. In Gaza, our ongoing support for UNRWA continues to deliver vital remote learning to almost 300,000 children living in a war zone.
"Since Israel launched a military operation in the West Bank in January, more than 40,000 people have been displaced. It is vital that the international community maintains its focus on the violence and displacement occurring in the West Bank."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Tánaiste to meet German counterpart Wadephul in Berlin
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, is in Berlin to meet with his new German counterpart Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul. Their discussions will focus on the efforts to secure an EU-US Trade Deal, the current situation in the Middle East, Ukraine, defence and security, as well as European competitiveness and the next EU budget. The Tánaiste and Minister Wadephul will also discuss the positive trajectory in Irish-German relations, which intensified significantly under the Global Ireland programme including through the opening of Irish consulates in Frankfurt in 2019 and Munich in 2024, and through the development of the Ireland-Germany Joint Plan of Action, now in its third iteration. Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Harris said: "I look forward to visiting Germany and holding my first official meeting with Minister Wadephul. "Germany is a vital bilateral partner for Ireland at the political level as well as a key economic counterpart, being Ireland's second largest source of foreign direct investment and third largest trading partner. "I will be interested to hear Minister Wadephul's perspective on key issues on the EU and international agenda, particularly the efforts to secure an EU-US Trade deal ahead of Wednesday's deadline. "We will also discuss security and defence, the Middle East, Ukraine, and EU enlargement and reform. I will also set out Ireland's priorities in these areas." The Tánaiste will take part in a site visit to the Siemens Energy Innovation Centre, on which he commented: "Siemens Energy has played a key role in major strategic infrastructure projects in Ireland, including Moneypoint, the Celtic Interconnector and the Greenlink Interconnector. "I am looking forward to this visit on the centenary of the inception of the Shannon Hydroelectric Scheme, which had a transformative impact on the modernisation of Ireland, as well as on Irish-German bilateral relations." The Tánaiste will also have a working lunch with Leader of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Party Jens Spahn, in the Bundestag. He commented: "The meeting with Jens Spahn will be an opportune moment to hear directly about key issues on the minds of German parliamentarians." To conclude the visit, the Tánaiste will give remarks and meet with members of the Irish community in Berlin at a reception at the ambassador's residence. He said: "I am looking forward to meeting with members of the Irish community in Berlin. Berlin is home to an active and vibrant Irish diaspora, including a thriving GAA club scene, a young professionals network, as well as artists who played a pivotal role in the Zeitgeist Irland 24 project."


Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Harris tells 4th of July party ‘the bombs have to stop' in Gaza
Tánaiste Simon Harris told the new US Ambassador to Ireland that the 'bombs have to stop' in Gaza . Mr Harris, who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs, was addressing the annual Independence Day celebration at the ambassador's residence in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, Edward Walsh's first public event since presenting his credentials to President Michael D Higgins on Tuesday. The Minister for Foreign Affairs spoke about the 'enduring friendship' between Ireland and the US before mentioning the 'ongoing situation in Gaza'. 'Ireland has always unreservedly condemned Hamas. We stand for the Israeli people's right to live in peace. We call again for the release of all hostages. READ MORE [ Israel steps up deadly bombardment of Gaza, killing at least 90 people, before ceasefire talks Opens in new window ] 'But the bombs have to stop. The killing has to stop. We must have a ceasefire. 'Humanitarian aid must get to the people suffering horrific injuries, starvation and disease. Because the cry of a child is the same in any language. It compels us to provide comfort and protection from harm. 'As human beings in positions of power, we can no longer bear the heartbreaking cries of the children of the Middle East. 'I urge all involved to support and engage in efforts under way to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release agreement.' Mr Harris told the crowd the US helped bring peace to our island 'by putting its own reputation on the line, and believing in hope instead of history'. 'The Good Friday Agreement taught the world that peace is always possible, that wounds can be healed, and that differences that once seemed insurmountable can be overcome.' Edward S Walsh with Tanaiste Simon Harris. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Mr Harris said, at home and abroad, 'Ireland's message is always the same: We must honour our history by putting our own reputation on the line in the search for peace'. 'Ireland's concerns reflect a heartfelt commitment to humanitarian principles and a belief that lasting peace can only come through justice, accountability, and the protection of all civilian lives.' He said: 'When friends speak candidly to one another, it strengthens rather than weakens their bond.' During his speech, Mr Harris also spoke about the ongoing tariff war between the US and the EU. 'With some of the most important voices in the Irish and US business communities here tonight, let me say again loud and clear – we want and need to see an agreement reached between the EU and the US,' Mr Harris said. 'Ireland has been consistent in our approach; we want to see zero for zero tariffs in as many areas as possible. We want to reach a deal as soon as possible.' Mr Harris spoke after Mr Walsh, so the ambassador didn't have the chance to reply – publicly at least. The men held a private meeting before the event. In his speech, Mr Walsh expressed his 'deep gratitude to my good friend, president Donald Trump, for entrusting me with this role'. Edward S Walsh (left), with Michael Flatley. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA He told the crowd he stood before them 'as a businessman, a family man, and someone who deeply values the ties that bind communities together, from the boardroom to the golf course'. Mr Walsh said he looked forward to 'building lasting relationships, communicating openly and embracing all that brings our people together'. After the speeches, Michael Flatley played a flute solo. People then formed a queue to take photos with Walsh – including Independent TDs Mattie McGrath and Carol Nolan – while a live band, the Controversial All Stars, played You Can Go Your Own Way. About 2,500 guests from the worlds of politics, business, culture, sport, and media attended the event, marking the 249th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. Many TDs, past and present, milled around, but several politicians turned down an invite to the party. Among them was People Before Profit–Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger, who took part in a large Palestine solidarity protest across the road from the residence. Ruth Coppinger described the situation in Gaza as 'US-funded genocide'. Photograph: Órla Ryan Protesters shouted 'shame, shame' and 'you feast while Gaza starves' as guests entered the party. Ms Coppinger was among the protesters. She said, as a TD, she had been invited to the celebration but could not in good conscience attend. 'It's absolutely incredible that such a thing would be organised. The people of Gaza are starving or being killed trying to access food,' she said. Ms Coppinger described the situation in Gaza as 'US-funded genocide'. 'Genocide in Gaza couldn't be happening without the political, and financial support of the United States.' Zak Hania was among the proesters at the Phoenix Park on Thursday evening. Photograph: Órla Ryan Zak Hania , an Irish-Palestinian man who spent months trapped in the Gaza Strip before returning to Ireland last year, was also at the protest. 'The Americans are a huge part in this genocide, and they are contributing to the killing machine of our children and our elderly and our people,' Mr Hania said. 'You are having a huge dinner, and you are inviting a lot of people to eat and enjoy while the blood of our children are on the streets and our people are dying of hunger.'

The Journal
4 hours ago
- The Journal
Taoiseach warns trade ban on Israeli settlements could hit Irish companies under US anti-boycott laws
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said the government must tread carefully when considering the expansion of its proposed trade ban with Israeli settlements, stressing that including services could inadvertently harm Irish-based multinational companies due to US anti-boycott legislation. His comments come after Tánaiste Simon Harris last week published a fresh outline of the Occupied Territories Bill, which seeks to prohibit the import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements. The bill will affect imports from the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights – territories occupied since 1967 and widely recognised under international law as illegally held. While the current draft focuses on goods only, Harris has signalled that he wants to include services in a future version of the bill. However, Martin expressed concern about the legal and economic risks of doing so. 'That's an issue we have to factor in, because we don't want any companies or multinationals in Ireland inadvertently being caught up in this,' he said, referring to US anti-boycott laws. Martin made the comments today during a visit to Japan. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 'We do have to factor in the presence of American legislation, the boycotting divestment legislation, which is already passed by numerous states in America, which would penalise any company that, from an American perspective, participates in boycotts.' Martin said that several US states have passed anti-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) laws, which penalise companies seen as boycotting Israel or Israeli-controlled areas. More than 30 US states have passed so-called anti-BDS laws that penalise companies or entities seen to be boycotting Israel or Israeli-controlled territories. These laws often apply regardless of whether the boycott targets Israel itself or the settlements specifically – something Martin said poses a risk of misinterpretation. 'Whilst we're just involved in the Occupied Territories, not Israel as a country, there's a concerted campaign in terms of misrepresenting the Irish position, so that's an issue we have to factor in,' Martin said. Advertisement Martin also addressed criticism that the government is backing away from the moral argument in favour of protecting economic interests. 'It's not commercial, like it's putting bread and butter on people's table,' he said, noting the presence of 'hundreds of thousands' of jobs in Ireland linked to multinational employers. 'The object of the exercise here is to put pressure on Israel, not to disadvantage Ireland unduly and that's a factor.' The Taoiseach acknowledged the symbolic importance of the legislation, but said it was important to be 'clear-eyed' about its potential impact. 'There's no point in Ireland coming out worse if it has no impact on Israel. That's the only point I'm making, we have to be clear-eyed in terms of the impact. People should know about the impact.' He also raised practical concerns about how a ban on services would even be enforced. 'How do you actually detect, how do you punish the offence, the practicalities around all of that. Those are real and the bill is fundamentally symbolic, it's important.' The Occupied Territories Bill, first introduced in 2018, proposed banning the import and sale of goods and services originating in illegal settlements, as well as the extraction of resources from those areas. The revised version of the bill, now known as the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill, would criminalise only the importation of goods, under the Customs Act 2015. Services are not currently covered, though Tánaiste Simon Harris has said he is seeking further legal advice and wants to bring services into scope where possible. 'There isn't another country in the European Union that you can visit today and ask a government minister about their bill to ban trade and the detail of it, because they don't have one,' Harris said last Wednesday. 'Ireland is leading – but we have to do this properly.' The bill is expected to go before an Oireachtas committee for pre-legislative scrutiny later this year. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal