The family of Ibrahim Alagha, an Irish citizen who fled Gaza with his wife and children yesterday via the Rafah crossing, say they are hoping to be reunited with him this weekend.
Mr Alagha's family who live in Blanchardstown in Dublin, say they have had a long wait of 40 days to be reunited.
"It has been a very difficult time for everyone," his younger brother Abdullah Alagha explained.
"Even if for us. We are outside Gaza, but like we were worried about them and contacting them every day."
He said that twice during the war, communications with them had completely cut out and they did not know if they were still alive.
"One day we called them and we heard a bomb around them and it was difficult for us to know what would happen in the coming few hours."
Now watching a video update from his niece and nephews in Cairo, he said the whole family is so happy to see that they made it across the border.
'Moment of happiness'
"Over the last few days we didn't know if they would make it or not," he said of the dangerous crossing.
"Now we are happy that we will see them very soon.
"The moment of happiness will happen here in Dublin and in Ireland, our second home country and on behalf of Alagha family here in Dublin and in Gaza and in Palestine we'd like to thank the Irish Government, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv and Cairo," Abdullah Alagha said.
He said they are still concerned for other extended family members in Gaza. His wife is currently at the border with her parents and he does not know when she will be able to cross. His sister is also waiting, he said.
Ibrahim lives on the same estate as his brother and had been working as an electrical engineer in Ireland.
"Now all together in Dublin. We are very glad. We can't wait for that moment," Abdullah said.
Their father, Samy, said the whole family has been watching the news every day and that they were afraid for all the extended family, some of whom moved from Gaza city to Khan Yunis in the south.
"We were worrying sometimes, just watching the television every day to know if anything is happening," he said.
He added that the 40 day wait for news of Ibrahim and his family is finally over and he hopes all the members of his extended family will also be able to cross into Egypt soon.
'Tears of happiness'
Ibrahim Alagha and his family were in Gaza City for an extended holiday when Israel began its bombardment last month.
They became stranded in the conflict zone, and Mr Alagha spoke several times to RTÉ News about fears for his family's safety.
He sent a WhatsApp message earlier this morning, saying: "First night since 50 days without fear, without noisy spying drones, without hunger or thirst, without feeling cold, without darkness. Thank you Ireland."
Ibrahim Alagha said he cried tears of happiness when he escaped the war torn territory.
"I was crying. I was crying of happiness that we were out and safe.
"But, I was also crying because I'm leaving behind me a lot of friends, relatives and friends - some that have passed away.
"It was very, very mixed feelings," he said.
Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Alagha said: "We were very happy once we arrived [in Cairo], especially after that long journey. I recorded a small video with the children. They can't believe they don't have to sleep on the floor anymore. And that they can take a shower and eat whatever they want, drink whatever water they want. It was really, really nice feeling."
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Since leaving Gaza, he said that some of his wife's extended family were killed in Khan Yunis. "Five cousins of my wife were killed in a bombing yesterday," he said.
Mr Alagha said the family plans to return to Ireland as soon as possible.
"The Department of Foreign Affairs told us that within three days they will provide us with tickets back to Dublin. So I think that's the plan," he said.
Additional reporting Cian McCormack
