Ireland is preparing to recognize a Palestinian state in the coming weeks, Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said on Tuesday in Dublin.
Mr Martin announced his intention to submit a formal proposal to the government on the recognition of a Palestinian state when “broader international discussions” are completed.
“Have no doubt that recognition of a Palestinian state will take place,” he said in a speech to the Irish Parliament.
Delaying recognition “is neither credible nor tenable any longer”, according to him.
Mr Martin later told the Irish news site The Journal that the formal proposal will be made “in the coming weeks”.
He said he had discussed the recognition with other countries involved in peace initiatives over the past six months.
In March, the leaders of Spain, Ireland, Slovakia and Malta said in a joint statement that they were ready to recognize the existence of a Palestinian state.
Ireland has long indicated that it has no objection in principle to officially recognizing the Palestinian state if it would contribute to the Middle East peace process.
But the war in Gaza has revived this question.
The conflict erupted on October 7 when Hamas commandos infiltrated from the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented attack in southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to a report established by the AFP based on official Israeli figures.
In retaliation, Israel launched an offensive that has so far killed 33,360 people in the Gaza Strip, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas Health Ministry.
“There is no doubt that war crimes have been committed and I categorically condemn the continued bombardment of the people of Gaza,” Mr Martin said.
Recognition of statehood “could serve as a catalyst to help the people of Gaza and the West Bank and to advance an Arab-led peace initiative,” he added.