Ireland Pledges $49 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Palestinians During Rafah Border Visit

Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing and announced $49 million in humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. Rafah, Gaza’s only crossing not shared with Israel, is a critical route for aid and medical evacuations. Inside Gaza, over two million residents face dire conditions, living in makeshift shelters with limited supplies, while recent reports highlight deaths from hypothermia and ongoing casualties from the conflict.

A senior Irish government minister has visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing as Ireland announced a major new package of humanitarian support for Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence, Helen McEntee, conducted the visit on Tuesday alongside Egyptian officials, including North Sinai Governor Khaled Megawer, who provided detailed briefings on conditions at this critical gateway. The Rafah crossing serves as the primary route for aid shipments and medical evacuations into and out of Gaza that do not pass through Israel, making it a lifeline for the beleaguered territory. During her visit, McEntee also toured Egyptian Red Crescent warehouses in the city of el-Arish, where large quantities of humanitarian supplies are being stored in preparation for delivery to Palestinian communities in need.
During the visit, McEntee formally announced that Ireland would allocate 49 million dollars in humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. This support is aimed at providing much-needed food, medical aid, shelter materials, and other essential services to a population struggling under the effects of ongoing conflict. The Rafah crossing, which is unique in being a border point not shared with Israel, remains a crucial passageway for aid organizations and humanitarian workers, ensuring that life-saving supplies can reach the residents of Gaza. Before the outbreak of the current hostilities, Rafah was a busy commercial route linking Egypt and Gaza, facilitating trade, movement of goods, and daily travel for families across the border. Its strategic importance has only increased as the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated.
Inside Gaza, conditions for civilians are extremely harsh. The territory, home to more than two million people, has suffered widespread destruction due to Israel’s bombing campaign, leaving many families without permanent homes. A significant portion of the population is now living in temporary shelters or makeshift tents, exposed to harsh weather conditions and the risk of flooding. Aid groups have emphasized that the flow of shelter materials into Gaza is insufficient to meet the needs of the displaced population, leaving families vulnerable during the winter months. Palestinian rescue workers have also warned residents against taking refuge in damaged buildings due to the risk of collapse, further highlighting the precariousness of daily life in the territory.
The human cost of the conflict continues to mount. Gaza’s health ministry has reported that at least six children have died from hypothermia since the onset of winter, illustrating the deadly impact of inadequate shelter and exposure to cold weather. In addition, since a ceasefire went into effect in October, 442 people have been killed by Israeli fire, a stark reminder of the ongoing violence and instability in the region. The combination of conflict-related casualties and the worsening humanitarian crisis underscores the urgent need for international aid and the importance of border crossings like Rafah in facilitating the delivery of life-saving assistance.