Prem legends Robbie Keane and Rory Delap flee Israel after hiding in panic room

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Robbie Keane and Rory Delap have fled to Israel after the country came under attack from Palestinian militants on Saturday.

The former Premier League stars, both of whom work for Israeli outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv, were forced to shelter in a panic room for hours as airstrikes rained down on the capital city. Both are understood to have escaped to Greece.

Keane, who is the manager of the club, took the job back in June and hired Delap as his assistant. The pair are among thousands who have looked to flee Israel in light of the deadly attacks orchestrated by Hamas – the Palestinian Islamist militant group which rules the Gaza Strip.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared war and vowed to reduce the Gaza Strip to "rubble" following the horrific all-out attack by Hamas militants. Israel have since initiated retaliatory strikes, leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured on both sides, with the death toll climbing every hour.

In a powerful statement, Netanyahu said on X (formerly) Twitter: "All of the places which Hamas is deployed, hiding and operating in, that wicked city, we will turn them into rubble. I say to the residents of Gaza: Leave now because we will operate forcefully everywhere."

Speaking after joining Maccabi Tel Aviv, Keane said he "didn't want to get into politics", insisting: "I'm here as a football man and someone that loves the game, so I will certainly just focus on that but thanks for your question. This is the last time I will say it, I certainly don't want to get into politics."

Keane's side have made an impressive start to the season, winning four of their first five league matches. They're currently top of the Israeli Premier League, three points clear of second-placed Maccabi Haifa, though all matches have been postponed indefinitely in light of the attacks.

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Keane spent the majority of his playing career in English football, with notable spells at Tottenham, Liverpool and Wolves. He also played for Inter Milan, LA Galaxy, West Ham and Aston Villa. In 2018 he was appointed player-manager of Indian outfit ATK, though he left the club after hanging up his boots a few months later.

In the years since, Keane has worked as a coach for the Ireland national team, Middlesbrough and Leeds before being handed the reins himself for the first time by Maccabi Tel Aviv. Delap, who is best known for his six-year spell at Stoke, was part of the coaching team at the Bet365 Stadium for five years before following Keane to Israel.

• Premier League
• Israel
• Israel-Palestine war

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