Tánaiste Micheál Martin has called on Israel to rescind an order for citizens to evacuate Gaza, saying "two wrongs don't make a right".
It comes after the United Nations said it was told by the Israeli military that the approximately 1.1 million people in northern Gaza "should relocate to southern Gaza" within 24 hours, a move described by the international body's humanitarian office as "impossible".
Speaking at an event in Co Cork, Mr Martin said the world is witnessing the "horrific outcome of the Hamas attack on Israel and random and indiscriminate murder of Israelis".
Mr Martin noted the funeral of 22-year-old Irish-Israeli citizen Kim Damti, who died after an attack on a music festival near the Gaza border, as well as the "harrowing" account of Thomas Hand, who said his eight-year-old daughter Emily died following Hamas attacks on the Beeri Kibbutz.
He said: "The human suffering here is quite shocking and we're now seeing the outcome of that violence in terms of terribly sad funerals and bereavement and confirmation of deaths.
"In respect of Israel and Gaza, we've been very clear that Israel has a right to self defence but it must be within international law and that there are obligations under the Geneva Convention."
Mr Martin said it is not feasible that a million people can move out of the city in 24 hours.
"That call by Israel should be rescinded and should be pulled back, because I think everybody knows it's not something that can be achieved at all and I think it puts enormous trauma on the ordinary civilians and Gazans," he added.
"Two wrongs don't make a right and there's an obligation to protect civilians in Gaza, to protect children and families and so forth and people who have nothing to do with Hamas."
Mr Martin is working with the UN and European colleagues on establishing humanitarian corridors.
He said that it is essential that significant amounts of humanitarian aid gets into Gaza and into the hospitals where it is needed.
