50 Irish citizens have left Gaza through Rafah crossing, says the Department of Foreign Affairs

Michael Bolton

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that 24 Irish citizens and dependants left Gaza through the Rafah crossing on Friday night.

In a statement, officials said: “The Department of Foreign Affairs can confirm that 24 Irish citizens and dependants were ultimately able to exit Gaza at the Rafah crossing last night.

“This brings to 50 the number of Irish citizens and dependants assisted to leave Gaza in recent days.

“Only small numbers of citizens or accompanying dependants who have expressed a wish to leave remain in Gaza.

“The department remains in contact in each case and will continue to work consistently with the relevant authorities to ensure they are able to leave Gaza as soon as possible.”

UNICEF Ireland's Executive Director Peter Power says many of the children who have left Gaza, and those remaining, will be profoundly, psychologically, affected by the conflict.

"Well we are obviously extremely relieved for the children who have managed to get out of Gaza, they had to endure a terrible ordeal.

"The long-term consequences are obviously very worrying. For those hundreds and thousands of children who will remain in Gaza for the long term, we are deeply, deeply concerned for their psychological welfare.

"It is one of the real areas of concern for UNICEF now."