Tánaiste Simon Harris has said that Ireland will keep an "open mind" when it comes to having a role in any potential peacekeeping plan in Gaza, but added that it is too early to make any predictions.
Speaking outside Government Buildings he said: "I think it's too premature to determine that answer at the moment.
"At the moment, the depth of conflict in the Middle East is so real.
"We've only had a ceasefire for a matter of days, and we still have a very, very long way to go and maybe a lot of next steps around implementation.
"But Ireland always keeps an open mind on these issues, and we will at the time ahead, our peacekeepers have served with distinction in many, many parts of the world. We are never found wanting when it comes to peacekeeping. But I do think it's too hard to predict that at the moment."
The Tánaiste was due to tell the Cabinet that developments in the Middle East in recent days mean there is "finally an opportunity to ease the immense suffering of the people of Gaza who have endured untold horrors".
Mr Harris was also expected to say that a consignment of 1,500 tents set to be delivered to Gaza soon, includes 750 tents from Ireland's humanitarian stocks.
Focus on getting aid supplies into Gaza, says Taoiseach
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he welcomed the progress made in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, with the release of the hostages, which he said was a "very, very significant moment to end the suffering of the hostages".
"Because hostages should have never been taken in the first place which was a war crime in and of itself.
"That they have been reneged with their families, is great news for the families and also for the prospects of continued peace within Gaza," he said.
Mr Martin stressed that there is now a focus to get food and medical supplies into Gaza "as soon as possible".
The Government has already pledged an additional €6m in humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza, bringing the total figure to more than €100m since 2023.
Ireland has now joined the Emergency Coalition for the Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Authority, a group established in response to the unprecedented financial crisis facing the authority.
This all means it is likely that Ireland will ultimately commit funding for the reconstruction of Gaza.
On potential Irish peacekeeping in Gaza, Mr Martin said we will have to "wait and see".
He said it is his understanding that there are other countries who have already indicated that they will be sending their military into Gaza as a transitionary force to help assist in its governance.
However, he said Ireland has certain expertise that it will consider making available if requested, "but it’s a step-by-step process so far".
"I think what’s very important right now is humanitarian aid into Gaza and we have quite a number of Irish people working through UN agencies assisting in getting aid in, and I think that would be the first focus," he said.
Mr Martin said the next focus would be reconstruction, and mentioned that Ireland and France had previously looked at a joint project to open a wastewater treatment plant in Gaza.
He said that would be "the type of thing" he would like to look at.
He said Ireland would have a lot of expertise to offer when it comes to civil engineering and construction.
When asked if he saw himself visiting Gaza "any time soon" he said that would be "subject to circumstances".
"I have repeatedly said that the international community should be allowed into Gaza, and media, and political leadership to see first hand, what has transpired," he said.
"And also to get a sense of the scale and what is involved in terms of humanitarian aid."
