Irish pilgrims visiting Israel trying to 'get home as soon as possible'

Smoke rises from an explosion caused by an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip. Picture: AP Photo/Hatem Moussa

A group of Irish pilgrims visiting Israel are trying to "get home as soon as possible" after Hamas launched a surprise attack against the country on Saturday.

Michael Kelly, editor of The Irish Catholic newspaper, said the group were on the outskirts of Jerusalem when they heard sirens indicating that there had been rocket attacks.