The situation in Gaza and East Jerusalem is "becoming graver by the hour", the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland has said.
Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid says the Israeli military's "onslaught" is leading to "widespread human suffering".
She was speaking after another night of violence, airstrikes and rocket barrages in the territory.
Palestinian authorities death toll in Gaza has now risen to 67, including 17 children.
Seven people have also been killed in Israel in recent days, officials say.
Israeli forces stepped up their offensive last night, reportedly killing a number of senior Hamas military figures.
(210513) -- HEBRON, May 13, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Israeli soldiers are seen during an anti-Israel protest in the West Bank city of Hebron, on May 12, 2021. Tension between Israelis and Palestinians has been flaring up over the past few days amid the escalating violence in East Jerusalem between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli forces. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)Meanwhile, street violence has broken out in the West Bank and several Israeli cities between Jewish and Arab Israelis.
Bel Trew, Middle East Correspondent for The Independent, told Newstalk Breakfast "horrendous footage" has emerged of attempted lynchings and other violent scenes.
She said there appears to no end in sight after another night of violence.
She explained: “There’s a possibility today that Israeli army chiefs will be approving a plan for a possible ground invasion in Gaza, which would then be handed to the political leadership.
"That doesn’t a ground invasion is necessarily going to go ahead, but it’s the first step towards that maybe being a possibility - which would obviously move this into the category of being a war.”
Situation 'becoming graver by the hour'
Dr Abdalmajid also spoke to the show.
She said today is Eid al-Fitr, usually a day of celebration for Muslims after the month of Ramadan.
She said: “On this day we usually send congratulations, but on this day I want to send my deep condolences to all our people for the great loss in the past few weeks in east Jerusalem and in Gaza particular.
“The situation in occupied Palestine, including East Jerusalem, is becoming graver by the hour as Israel - the occupying power - continues its onslaught, unleashing all means of military aggression against the defenceless Palestinian civilian population.”
On last night's The Hard Shoulder, the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland claimed the country is “attempting to avoid as much as possible any harm to innocent civilians” as it continues to launch airstrikes on Gaza - saying they were "targeting terrorists".
Dr Abdalmajid insisted that Palestinian rocket barrages against Israel can't be compared to the Israeli airstrikes against Gaza.
She said: “How many Palestinians have been killed so far? The comparison is not equal.
“More than 67 Palestinians have been killed, among them 17 children and seven women. How many buildings have been bombarded?"
She said the international community has a "great responsibility" to protect the Palestinian people from attacks, calling for them to do more.
She pointed to the UN Security Council's failure to pass a resolution on a ceasefire yesterday - noting the Irish representative's disappointment at the vote.
As I reiterated today in #UNSC meeting on situation in East Jerusalem & Gaza, we cannot stay silent in the face of a deadly spiral of violence.
🇮🇪is disappointed UNSC has not assumed its responsibility. It should call for deescalation & condemn violence against civilians.
GBN pic.twitter.com/9uLcmJb8sv— Ireland at UN (@irishmissionun) May 12, 2021
