Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Israel had the right to defend itself but could “fall apart” if it goes “too far in terms of its actions in Gaza”, reports RTE.
Mr Varadkar said Ireland called for restraint and that the Israeli response to Hamas attacks must be proportionate.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Nine News, he said the government was particularly concerned about the welfare of Irish-Israeli national Kim Damati, who had been missing since attending a Hamas music festival on Saturday morning.
He said he doesn’t believe anyone’s heart “could not go out to the family”, reports RTE.
Mr Varadkar added that he was appalled by attacks on civilians in Israel and Gaza, particularly the killing and hostage-taking of women and children.
He said: “One thing Hamas has done is attack not just the people from Israel, but citizens from many other countries as well. From Ireland’s point of view, we are saying to Israel that ‘yes you have a right to defend yourself, you are surrounded by enemies who want to end your existence, but any response must be proportionate,'” reports RTE.
Earlier, Tánaiste and Foreign Secretary Michael Martin said Ireland would be “very clear” that EU humanitarian aid must reach the Palestinians.
He told RTÉ News that he had passed the first stage of a special meeting with EU foreign ministers and that “there is horror in respect of the scale of the atrocities committed against Israel and Israeli civilians following the attacks by Hamas”, reports RTE.
He said he was concerned about the developing situation in the Gaza Strip involving Palestinians, families and children.
Mr Martin said: “The move by Israel to engage with Hamas and to deal with Hamas, that obviously will have consequences on the humanitarian side, and our contribution later will be very clear that humanitarian aid from the European Union has to continue to reach Palestinians in the area if education, in the area of health, and in the area of food provision.”
Mr Martin added: “I was clear that continued development and humanitarian support to the Palestinian people is essential. I underlined that the review of by the European Commission’s development cooperation funding needs to take place as rapidly as possible and in close coordination with member states. I welcomed the confirmation that EU humanitarian aid to Palestinians will continue uninterrupted, for as long as needed,” reports RTE.
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