Edmund Heaphy

Deputy Foreign Editor

Edmund Heaphy is Deputy Foreign Editor of RTÉ News. He previously worked with RTÉ Investigates and Prime Time. He has reported extensively from the Middle East on the conflict in Gaza and the 7 October attacks.

Protesters light candles for the hostages taken by Hamas and those killed in the war during a demonstration for a ceasefire in Jerusalem, Israel

Hopes of peace and stability rest on fragile foundations

The last time I flew into Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, it felt like the Middle East was on the cusp of a regional war.

Middle East • 17 Jan

A man treads on a picture of Syria's ousted president Bashar al-Assad as people enter his residence in Damascus' Malki area

Why has Assad's regime fallen now and what happens next?

The Syrian opposition has taken control of Damascus and ousted President Bashar al-Assad's regime, which has ruled the country for 50 years but the lightning rebel offensive is merely the capstone to a 13-year fight to take down the regime, writes Edmund Heaphy.

Analysis and Comment • 10 Dec 24

Dublin Bay North: The story of the count

Election 24 • 02 Dec 24

Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Donald Trump after his election, describing it as 'history's greatest comeback'

What Trump's support for Israel will mean for war in Gaza

Benjamin Netanyahu previously described Donald Trump as the best friend Israel has ever had in the White House. The question going into a second term is how Mr Trump's staunch support for Israel will impact the conflict with Hamas and whether he can actually bring about an end to the war in Gaza.

Analysis and Comment • 10 Nov 24

Palestinians evacuate the area following an Israeli airstrike on the Sousi mosque in Gaza City on 9 October

Why the two-state solution feels more hopeless than ever

Prior to 7 October 2023, there were plans for a number of industrial joint ventures between Israel and Gaza, but now a path to a two-state solution seems a long way away, writes Deputy Foreign Editor, Edmund Heaphy.

Analysis and Comment • 13 Oct 24

A memorial at the site of the Nova music festival, where 364 people were killed by Hamas

'Where is the army?' - Israel reflects on 7 October

One year ago, over 2,000 Hamas fighters from Gaza swept into Israel. At dawn, under the cover of thousands of rockets fired from Gaza, they breached the border fence at 29 separate points, using bulldozers, hang gliders and motorbikes.

Middle East • 08 Oct 24

'Where is the army?' - Israel reflects on 7 October

One year ago today, more than 2,000 Hamas fighters from Gaza swept into Israel. At dawn, under the cover of thousands of rockets fired from Gaza, they breached the border fence at 29 separate points, using bulldozers, hang gliders and motorbikes.

World • 07 Oct 24

Several opinion polls suggest Kamala Harris has significantly narrowed the gap with Donald Trump

Can Kamala Harris hold the momentum in the US election?

For Kamala Harris, things are going just about as well as they could be. Late on Tuesday, Robby Mook, who managed Hillary Clinton's ill-fated 2016 campaign, remarked that it had been "a perfect 48 hours" for the US Vice President.

Analysis and Comment • 28 Jul 24

Kamala Harris's presidential campaign is becoming known as 'Operation Coconut Tree'

Why has a Kamala Harris coconut tree meme gone viral?

If you have spent any time on social media over the past few weeks, then you have probably already heard about Kamala Harris's coconut tree.

US Election 2024 • 23 Jul 24

Twelve-year-old Aya (right) said she is not happy in the shelter and that she wants to play with her own toys, in her own home

'I want to go home' - life in a Lebanese shelter

Since October, around 100,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in southern Lebanon. RTÉ Deputy Foreign Editor Edmund Heaphy visited a government-run shelter in the Lebanese city of Tyre.

Middle East • 30 May 24