A group of sick Palestinian children have been evacuated from Gaza to Ireland to receive medical treatment, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health have confirmed.
Seven children arrived in Dublin on Saturday evening, with 29 accompanying family members.
It marks the third medical evacuation from Gaza following Government approval in September last year in response to an appeal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to address the health needs of Gazans.
Doctors from Children's Health Ireland (CHI) worked with the WHO to identify sick and injured children who would benefit from treatment in Ireland.
The group travelled from Gaza to Jordan in a WHO medevac convoy and were accompanied from Jordan by an Irish medical team on a plane provided by the Norwegian Government.
The operation required significant coordination and collaboration with the Irish Red Cross, relevant authorities in the region, the Jordanian Red Crescent, WHO, Médecins Sans Frontières, the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism and the Norwegian government.
The children and family members are set to complete medical assessments over the coming days.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said the children and their families "have been through a horrific ordeal".
While Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said it marks the first time Ireland has undertaken a medical evacuation out of Gaza city to Ireland, via Jordan.
She described it as a "complex operation" that required "close collaboration across multiple government departments and with our international partners".
"The dedication, professionalism and humanity shown by all involved reflects the very best of public service. I offer my sincere thanks to everyone involved in making this medical evacuation possible," she said.
"I wish the seven children and their accompanying family members well as they begin their treatment and recovery here."
Ireland will receive up to 30 paediatric patients in total from Gaza following the Government decision in 2024 and will continue to opt in on a case-by-case basis for each child who requires treatment, subject to the necessary capacity being available at that time.
Children and their families are housed in accommodation managed by the Irish Red Cross.
A caseworker and translation services will also be provided to ensure that the patients and their carers are looked after and have assistance in accessing services.
In addition, the Health Service Executive (HSE) will provide appropriate psycho-social assessment for both patients and carers.
All patients and carers received health screening prior to travelling to Dublin.
Chief Executive Officer of CHI Lucy Nugent said it was a "real privilege" for the CHI team to "contribute toward Ireland’s medevac response".
"Our staff who participate in these missions are involved with the families from the outset, and it is both meaningful and emotional that we can in some way help the children of Gaza," she said.
Read more: First Gazan children arrive in Ireland for medical treatment
