Keane flees Israel amid conflict

Robbie Keane was forced to flee Israel over the weekend following the escalation of hostilities in the country.

The attack from Hamas on Israel has thrown the region into chaos, and TalkSport report that Keane and his assistant manager Rory Delap took shelter in a panic room for several hours before fleeing to Greece.

Keane and Delap work for Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv, where Keane is manager and Delap serves as assistant.

A statement from the club read “Maccabi Tel Aviv club, its managers, players and employees give strength to the security forces, the residents of the south and of all Israel in these difficult times.

“Please listen to the instructions of security forces and stay safe.”

Keane took up the job in June, and said at his introductory press conference “I don’t want to get into politics. This is the last time I will say it, I certainly don’t want to get into politics. I’m here as a football man and someone that loves the game, so I will certainly just focus on that.”

Prior to the outbreak of hostilities in the region, Maccabi Tel Aviv were currently top of the Israeli Premier League, having won four and drawn one of their opening games, but all fixtures were suspended in the wake of the attacks.

Over 1,000 people have died in the violence so far, with more than 123,000 people being displaced in Gaza since Saturday according to the United Nations.

The attacks have led to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring war on Hamas, stating “we will be victorious in this war despite an unbearable price.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has condemned Hamas’ actions and said he is “very concerned now about civilians both in Israel and in Gaza”, with the Irish Government urging de-escalation to protect the lives of civilians.