More Irish people are expected to escape Gaza into Egypt today.

It comes after 23 Irish citizens made their way through the Rafah Crossing yesterday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has been liaising with around 40 Irish citizens in Gaza in recent weeks – and more of them are understood to be on the list for crossing today.

In a statement last night, the department said the citizens who crossed yesterday were met by a team from the Irish Embassy in Cairo.

It said they are being provided with consular assistance and support, including onward travel to Ireland.

The Rafah Crossing between Egypt and Gaza, 07-10-2023. Image: UPI / Alamy

The Department said it remains in regular communication with Irish citizens in Gaza and expects more Irish citizens and dependants to be on the list in the coming days.

Speaking to The Hard Shoulder from Cairo, the Tánaiste Micheál Martin said it was a "great relief" to get 23 Irish citizens out of Gaza.

"It's very good news, but we have more to work on," he said.

Meanwhile, a motion to expel the Israeli Ambassador from Ireland was defeated in the Dáil last night, following heated debate in the Chamber and protests in the streets outside.

It was defeated after the Government parties put forward a countermotion to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.

The countermotion said the Government would “pursue all possible avenues at the EU and the UN to build an international alliance for peace” and called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Israel and Palestine.

The countermotion passed by 85 votes to 55.

Separately, the UN Security Council has adopted a resolution calling for urgent “humanitarian pauses” in the Israel-Hamas war.

Main image shows Palestinian officers check permits at Rafah Border Crossing in the southern Gaza Strip, 27-09-2020. Image: Khatib/dpa/Alamy