Ireland will provide €42 million in assistance to the people of Palestine in 2026, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee TD has announced, marking an increase from the €36 million provided in 2025. The funding includes €20 million in core support for UNRWA to deliver essential services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and across the region.
The announcement was made during Minister McEntee’s visit to the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, where she witnessed first-hand the humanitarian conditions facing civilians. The funding package also includes €2 million to support the work of the Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent Societies, with the remaining funds to be allocated throughout the year in response to evolving needs.
Minister McEntee described the humanitarian and human rights situation in Gaza and the West Bank as “incredibly stark”, highlighting ongoing malnutrition, widespread displacement, damaged infrastructure and heightened risks of disease. While aid flows into Gaza have improved slightly following the ceasefire, she stressed that levels of need remain overwhelming.
In the West Bank, the Minister cited house demolitions, military incursions, settler violence and movement restrictions as creating unacceptable risks to daily life and requiring urgent political and humanitarian action.
Reaffirming Ireland’s strong support for UNRWA, Minister McEntee said the Agency remains central to meeting the urgent needs of Palestinians, despite mounting pressure and legislative restrictions affecting its operations. She reiterated Ireland’s condemnation of measures to cut water, electricity and communications to UNRWA facilities, calling for UNRWA’s work to be facilitated in line with International Court of Justice findings.
