Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he does not regret saying the Israeli response to the 7 October Hamas attack was becoming "something more approaching revenge".
Last week Mr Varadkar said that what is happening in Gaza is not just self-defence on the part of Israel, but that it "resembles something more approaching revenge".
Asked if he regretted the use of the word when commenting on Israel’s actions in Gaza, and if it would hamper Irish diplomatic efforts, he said he did not regret its use.
He later said: "When the Tánaiste [Micheál Martin] and I take the positions that we do, we do so because we think it's the right thing.
"Ultimately, this is about civilians. Israeli civilians who died and were injured, and also Palestinians who are now experiencing a very difficult situation.
"We've always taken a view since day one that we condemn Hamas' attack unequivocally, no excuse for it whatsoever.
"Israel has a right to defend itself, but it has to do so in a way that's proportionate and in line with humanitarian law."
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He also said that he does not believe Irish citizens in Gaza are being punished for the Government’s stated views on the situation there.
He said: "No, I don’t believe so. Certainly we have no indication that is the case.
"There are some 8,000/9,000 citizens of foreign countries in Gaza.
"Obviously we are working with the various different authorities particularly the UN, and others, to try and ensure our citizens who want to leave, can leave as soon as possible".
He added that for "understandable reasons" he didn't want to comment on any individual case when asked about eight-year-old Emily Hand.
The Irish Embassy in Israel has confirmed that the eight-year-old Irish-Israeli girl is now believed to have been abducted and not murdered by Hamas during the attacks of 7 October as originally thought.
Additional reporting: PA
