Mayo woman flees Israel amidst escalating conflict

Jeanie Ryan Jafari, who has resided in Israel for four decades, has recently found herself in the midst of one of the most intense conflicts she has ever experienced during her time in the country.

Originally hailing from the Claremorris area, Jafari now lives in the Zikim kibbutz, located just five kilometres north of Gaza, a region profoundly affected by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Jeanie Ryan Jafari's account to RTÉ News described an attack by Hamas militants who attempted to storm the kibbutz, with some of them approaching the shore in rubber dinghies.

The Israeli coastguard managed to intercept many of them, but three militants made their way to the kibbutz's perimeter.

The resulting chaos was exacerbated by the disruption of communication lines, leaving residents in the dark about what was happening in neighbouring communities.

Jafari managed to escape to Ireland via Cyprus.

Her husband remains in Israel, working in a hospital in Ashkelon, but her return to her home remains uncertain due to the ongoing conflict.

She expressed her concern for the safety of friends and the devastating toll the conflict has taken on the region, with casualties among both Israelis and Palestinians.