President Michael D Higgins has said international bodies, including the European Union, that remain "silent or allow their messages to have ambiguous construction" on the current conflict in the Middle East have a "responsibility to commit to vindicating international law".
In a statement, Mr Higgins also hit out at breaches of international law by both "State and non-State actors" while speaking about the Israel-Hamas conflict.
He said that the "ongoing horrific loss of civilian life in Gaza and Israel has to be addressed", and "should concern us all".
"Violence by non-State as well as State actors must be described for what it is - breaches of international humanitarian law," Mr Higgins said.
He said: "If international law is to be respected, it is important that hostages be released and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire be put in place."
President Higgins said that "collective punishment" cannot be accepted and there must be a push for the independent verification of facts in relation to conflict.
Statement by President Higgins on ongoing violence in the Middle East https://t.co/FaQgXaJJpY
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) November 2, 2023
He said: "It is simply unacceptable that hospitals and those being cared for within them are threatened by the basic lack of resources, damaged or indeed threated with destruction, or those within them forced to be evacuated.
"Those in the international community who are anxious to support international law, see it vindicated in its fullest sense, including the Geneva Convention, must press for an independent verification of the facts."
The President said that a solution must be found to both deliver "a reasonable security" to Israeli citizens and deliver "the long-neglected rights" of the Palestinians.
"I am proud of the Irish NGOs who are responding to the present horror that is unfolding in Gaza, great acts of courage and humanity are taking place in the worst of circumstances," he said.
Mr Higgins added: "One can only admire the extraordinary courage and commitment of the medical personnel who, while enduring unimaginable difficulties, are staying with those for whom they care, putting their own lives at risk."
Varadkar 'not briefed' on Irish hostage reports
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach said he has not been briefed on any reports of an "Irish citizen being kidnapped by Hamas".
It follows a report in the Irish Mirror and from Iranian state media that an Irish national is one of more than 240 hostages being held by Hamas.
Iran state media is also reporting that Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin requested assistance for the release of an Irish national being held by Hamas.
Speaking during a visit to South Korea, Leo Varadkar said: "The Tánaiste has had a phone call with the Iranian foreign minister. I was given a readout on that but not that particular detail. That is not to say it is not the case."
He was then asked if there was an Irish citizen kidnapped, it was something he would know about.
"This is not something that happened before, so I am not sure what the precedent is. What I can say is that I have not been briefed on that matter," he told reporters.
Mr Varadkar said that the phone call with the Iranian minister was about "bilateral relations and about the situation in Gaza".
He said: "The Tánaiste made a number of phone calls to counterparts in the region to hear their assessment of the situation and explore what could be done.
"I wasn't on the phone call. I haven't been briefed on anything in relation to an Irish citizen being kidnapped by Hamas."
Hundreds more foreign nationals flee Gaza as bombing toll mounts
A spokesperson for Micheál Martin said that they were unable to comment on individual cases.
The spokesperson added that Mr Martin has held several phone conversations in recent weeks with other foreign ministers across the world in relation to the situation in the Middle East since 7 October.
The spokesperson said: "The Department of Foreign Affairs is working to ensure all Irish citizens are able to leave Gaza as soon as possible. We are not in a position to comment on the detail of individual case - it would not be helpful to do so."
The spokesperson added that Mr Martin has been engaging extensively with counterparts from across the region on the situation in Gaza.
The Israeli Embassy in Ireland said if it was aware of any Irish citizens being held hostage by Hamas, it would "not comment on individual cases".
The statement added that "unfortunately we've seen that Hamas terrorists do not differentiate between Israelis, dual-nationals, and foreigners".
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was "working to ensure all Irish citizens are able to leave Gaza as soon as possible".
Reporting Brian O'Donovan, Tommy Meskill
