On Sunday, Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defense, Simon Harris, called for a review of the European Union-Israel Association Agreement, citing concerns over human rights violations.
In a statement on social media, Harris emphasized that the agreement includes provisions related to human rights, stating: “These clauses stipulate that relations must be based on respect for human rights. These words must have meaning, and the agreement must be reviewed. The world is not doing nearly enough.”
Harris also expressed his intention to discuss the matter with his European counterparts, stressing the responsibility of EU leaders to take all possible measures to halt the violence, increase humanitarian aid, and secure the immediate release of all hostages.
His remarks come amid the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, widespread destruction, starvation, and forced displacement, despite repeated international calls for an end to the violence.
Harris has previously urged the European Commission to reassess Israel’s compliance with the agreement, highlighting that Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement states that relations must be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles.
Ireland has been among the few EU nations advocating for a stronger stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza, with Harris calling on other European countries to support a formal review of the agreement.
On Sunday, Israeli forces continued bombing and shelling various areas of the besieged and devastated Gaza Strip, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians, including children and women.
Medical sources confirmed that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling across Gaza has risen to 25 since dawn on Sunday.
Since the resumption of the genocide on March 18, 2025, at least 3,227 Palestinians, including 538 women and 551 children, have been killed, and thousands more injured in Gaza.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 52,810 Palestinians, including at least 15,626 children, 9,807 women, 3,855 elderly individuals, 237 journalists, and 23 medics. At least 119,473 people—mostly children, women, and the elderly—have been wounded.
The numbers remain incomplete, as many victims are still trapped under the rubble or in areas inaccessible to rescue teams due to massive destruction, ongoing Israeli bombings and invasions.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces and illegal paramilitary colonizers, have killed 138 Palestinians, including 24 children and 5 women, this year alone; 57 Palestinians in Jenin, 24 in Nablus, 20 in Tubas, 14 in Tulkarem, 6 in Hebron, 5 in Bethlehem, 4 in Ramallah, 3 in Qalqilia, 3 in Jerusalem, and 2 in Salfit.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli soldiers and illegal paramilitary colonizers have killed 982 Palestinians, including 187 children, 22 women, 1 journalist, and 2 medics, in the occupied West Bank.
