Irish citizens likely to be allowed leave Gaza tomorrow

Palestinians search for the bodies of the al Meghari family killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Picture: AP Photo/Adel Hana

A number of Irish citizens in Gaza are being notified this evening that their names will likely be included on the list of those allowed leave the enclave tomorrow.

It is understood a number of citizens are being informed tonight to prepare and make their way to the border crossing at Rafah

While the inclusion of the names means that some of the 40 Irish citizens will be allowed leave Gaza, it does not guarantee that they will be able to cross the border into Egypt due to uncertainty around when the Rafah Crossing will open.

However, their inclusion is seen as a positive sign and comes as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin leaves Ireland to visit Egypt, Israel and Palestine in the coming days.

Speaking earlier today, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he spoke with Israeli ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich about the matter, who told him Israel was not blocking Irish citizens from leaving.

“I met the Israeli ambassador [Monday] 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,” Mr Varadkar said.

There are currently an estimated 8,000 foreign and dual-nationals, as well as immediate dependents in Gaza seeking to leave via the Rafah Crossing into Egypt.