The Government is making efforts to evacuate around 40 Irish citizens from Gaza.
It comes as Israel reportedly prepares to launch a land offensive in the occupied territory, following warnings to the one million people in northern Gaza to leave.
The only border crossing between Egypt and Gaza is expected to open this morning, allowing aid to enter and foreign nationals to evacuate.
Dozens of foreign nationals massed at the Rafah border on Sunday after news spread that an agreement was reached to allow foreigners to exit Gaza via the crossing - but they were left stranded as it remained closed.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France on Sunday October 15th 2023. Image: Government Press OfficeSpeaking in Paris on Sunday, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland was working with its partners to bring Irish people to safety if necessary.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin reiterated on Sunday that international law must be respected.
"The UN Secretary General made it very clear yesterday; even wars have rules," he said.
"International humanitarian law exists for a reason. Its overarching aim is to protect civilians; all civilians, everywhere.
"The rules are clear and they apply to all parties to all conflicts everywhere; state actor and non-state actors alike.
"The decision by the Israeli military to tell the entire civilian population in the north of the Gaza strip to move southward for their own safety is deeply dangerous and impossible to implement."
'Distinction between civilians and Hamas'
Mr Martin said there 'must' be a distinction made between Palestinian civilians and Hamas.
"There is no doubt about the brutal criminality of Hamas and their utter disregard for human life, including the lives of their fellow Palestinians," he said.
"But we absolutely must distinguish between Hamas and Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
"We are in contact with the UN and other partners on an ongoing basis on work to create humanitarian corridors from Egypt, to get vital supplies to civilians in urgent need in Gaza.
"I am also deeply concerned about rising violence and deaths in the West Bank, including increased incidents of settler violence and displacement of Palestinian communities.
"Under international law, Israel has a right to defend itself from attack, but this must be done within the parameters of international humanitarian law," he added.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is in "constant contact with a number of citizens in Gaza and with all relevant authorities in respect of their cases.
"This is a complex and extremely fluid situation. It would not be helpful to comment further," it added.
'A total disgrace'
The United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, said on Sunday 14 of its workers were killed.
"At least 400,000 people are now displaced in our schools and buildings," it said.
"Old people, children, pregnant women, people with disabilities are just being deprived of their basic human dignity. This is a total disgrace," the agency said.
We, as @UNRWA, are mourning the loss of 14 colleagues.
At least 400,000 people are now displaced in our schools & buildings in📍#Gaza
Old people, children, pregnant women, people with disabilities are just being deprived of their basic human dignity. This is a total disgrace. pic.twitter.com/JWBfx3wMpx— UNRWA (@UNRWA) October 15, 2023
Biden: Occupying Gaza 'a big mistake'
US President Joe Biden has warned Israel not to occupy Gaza in what may be his strongest public effort to advocate restraint.
He told CBS' 60 Minutes on Sunday: "I think it'd be a big mistake.
"Look, what happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas, and the extreme elements of Hamas don't represent all the Palestinian people. And I think that it would be a mistake for Israel to occupy Gaza again," he said.
"Taking out the extremists... is a necessary requirement," he added.
Gaza's health ministry said at least 2,670 Palestinians have been killed since October 7th and more than 9,600 wounded.
Some 1,400 people have been killed in Israel and 3,500 injured in Hamas's attacks, according to the prime minister's office.
European Union leaders are to meet on Tuesday at a video conference summit to discuss the conflict.
It comes after the 27 member states of the European Council jointly condemned the actions of Hamas, calling on it to immediately release all Israeli hostages.
'Taking sides will not solve anything'
Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly has said it is also vital humanitarian aid gets through to Gaza.
"The European Council, first of all, is condemning the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel and verifying that Israel has the right to self-defence," he said.
"At the same time it's very important that humanitarian aid would be given to the unfortunate innocent people of Gaza.
"I would hope first of all there'll be a consensus that taking sides is not going to solve anything.
"This is going to be probably a slow-burner, that the United Nations in particular will have to play a more prominent role - it can't all be left up to the EU."
Mr Kelly also called on those who are "genuinely committed to finding peace" to commit to redoubling their efforts and giving more humanitarian aid.
Additional reporting: IRN/Cliona O'Dwyer
