Irish citizens likely to be included on list to leave Gaza tomorrow

IT IS understood a number of Irish citizens will be allowed to leave Gaza tomorrow.

A number of citizens are being notified this Tuesday evening that their names are included on the list of those allowed to leave Gaza for the first time since the conflict started. 

It is understood that Irish citizens are being told to prepare to make their way to the border crossing at Arafat, the border crossing linking Egypt with the Gaza Strip.

There are no more details on numbers and names as of now.

This comes after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke with Israeli ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich, and was told that Israel was not blocking Irish citizens from leaving.

Mr Varadkar commented: “I met the Israeli ambassador about this. She told me that’s not the case and we’re continuing to seek permission for Irish citizens, Irish-Palestinian dual nationals, to leave from Gaza."

Earlier today, president Michael D Higgins met the families of a number of hostages currently being held in Gaza following the attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel.

Those in attendance at the meeting included Thomas and Natali Hand, father and sister of 8-year-old Irish-Israeli child Emily Hand; and Maya Lambroso, Tal Yeshurun and Eylon Keshet, representing a number of families of those being held as hostages. In attendance also was the Ambassador of Israel to Ireland, HE Ms Dana Erlich.

In a statement following the meeting, President Higgins said:

"What the families are going through in terms of anxiety and apprehension must be near unbearable, including in Emily Hand’s case that her father and sister know that she will be celebrating her ninth birthday while being held hostage. The welfare of all children and civilians in Israel and Gaza should be in the forefront of all of our minds at this time.

 "In our meeting, we discussed what actions can be taken to help ensure the safe return of the hostages to their families. To this end, I once again call for the unconditional release of all hostages currently being held in Gaza. I further echo the call which the families have made that the Red Cross/Red Crescent, or another appropriate organisation, must be given such access to the hostages as will enable their present position to be affirmed. I have assured the families that I will relay the importance of this request to the Irish Government.”