Statement by Minister McEntee on the situation of Irish citizens detained in Israel

I am continuing to monitor closely the situation concerning our citizens currently in Israeli custody.

At present, our citizens are being held at Ktziot detention centre, having been transferred there overnight from the port of Ashdod.

While consular access has not yet been granted, officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv remain on the ground and stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance and support as soon as access is permitted.

We expect that, later today, our citizens will be deported to Türkiye, where they will be met by representatives from our Embassy in Türkiye to ensure continuity of support and assistance upon arrival.

Officials across the Department, together with embassy teams on the ground, continue to work intensively to safeguard the wellbeing and safety of our citizens throughout this process.