The Irish Government has confirmed the successful arrival of seven Palestinian children from Gaza to Ireland for urgent medical treatment, marking the third medical evacuation mission since the initiative was approved in September 2024. The operation was led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Health, in response to an appeal from the World Health Organization (WHO) to assist civilians affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The children, accompanied by 29 family members, travelled overland from Gaza to Jordan in a WHO-coordinated convoy and were flown to Dublin by an Irish medical team aboard a Norwegian government aircraft. They will undergo medical assessments in the coming days, with treatment provided by Children’s Health Ireland (CHI).
Tánaiste Simon Harris TD expressed gratitude to Ireland’s international partners and diplomatic teams across the region, stating, “These children and their families have been through a horrific ordeal. They will receive excellent medical care while here in Ireland as they recover from their experiences.”
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD highlighted the complexity of the operation, noting it was the first evacuation directly from Gaza City to Ireland via Jordan. She praised the collaboration across government departments and international agencies, calling it “a reflection of the very best of public service.”
The initiative, part of Ireland’s commitment to receive up to 30 paediatric patients from Gaza, includes a comprehensive care package managed by the Irish Red Cross, with support services such as accommodation, translation, and psychosocial assessments provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
CHI CEO Lucy Nugent described the mission as “meaningful and emotional,” while HSE’s National Medical Evacuation Coordinator Dr Ciaran Browne credited strong partnerships with the EU, Norway, WHO, and Médecins Sans Frontières for the success of the operation.
Niall O’Keeffe, Head of International and Migration at the Irish Red Cross, emphasized the importance of the programme in offering critical healthcare and support to children from Gaza, adding, “We hope that the welcome and support of the Irish Red Cross will be a comfort and reassurance to them as they recover and rebuild.”
The evacuation required extensive coordination with regional authorities, humanitarian organisations, and multiple Irish government departments, including Justice and Social Protection, which facilitated visa arrangements and access to welfare services.
Ireland’s continued participation in these missions reflects its humanitarian commitment and the strength of its international partnerships in responding to global crises.
