Ambassador meets Gaza flotilla detainees

Update on release expected later today.

Irish Ambassador to Israel and Maghera native Sonya McGuinness met with 16 Irish citizens who were among more than 450 on a flotilla travelling to Gaza that was intercepted by Israeli authorities last week.

As of Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs says it is at an “advanced stage” in negotiating the return of the detained Irish citizens. Those detained were initially held at Ashdod port before being transferred to Ktzi’ot Prison near the Egyptian border.

Senator Chris Andrews was among those on board the Global Sumud Flotilla intercepted while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza and challenging Israel’s naval blockade.

The sixteen Irish citizens involved with the mission have been named as Caitriona Graham, Chris Andrews, Colm Byrne, Cormac O’Daly, Diarmuid MacDubhghlais, Donna Schwarz, Louise Heaney, Maureen Almai, Michael Fix, Paddy Kelly, Patrick O’Donovan, Sarah Clancy, Tadhg Hickey, Tara O’Grady, Tara Sheehy and Thomas McCune.

Ms McGuinness visited the detainees at Ktzi’ot Prison last Friday and continues to ensure their legal and medical needs are met.

Ongoing consular assistance is being provided, and a further update on their return is expected later today.

Concerns meanwhile have been raised about the conditions at the detention facility.

Legal aid group Adalah accused Israeli authorities of inhumane treatment, citing poor sanitation, insufficient food, and intimidation. Some detainees have agreed to voluntary deportation, while others have refused and will face formal deportation procedures through the Israeli courts.

The situation occurs amid growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The UN and other agencies have attributed a worsening famine to Israeli policies, and an independent UN commission recently accused Israel of committing genocide.