Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said he is hopeful that reports of a deal which would see the release of some hostages from Gaza and a temporary ceasefire will prove true.
Speaking on his way into the Cork Chamber of Commerce Dinner in Dublin, Mr Martin said he was encouraged by reports that women and children would be released first, as this has been the position advocated by the Irish Government.
He said this may help nine-year-old Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand, who is believed to have been abducted by Hamas and is likely being held in Gaza.
Earlier, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Dáil that the Government is doing everything it can to facilitate Emily Hand's release.
Speaking during Leaders' Questions, Mr Varadkar said the Government was calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, which needs to be observed by all sides, along with the release of hostages.
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald said entire Palestinian families have been wiped out in Israel's bombardment of Gaza.
She said the "systematic dehumanisation and annihilation" of the Palestinian people is happening in front of the eyes of the world.
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Ms McDonald urged the Dáil to stand together to ensure Israel's actions are not without consequence.
"The world was calling for a full permanent ceasefire," she said.
"We are doing everything we can to ensure... children are among the first to be released," Mr Varadkar replied.
Mr Varadkar also told the Dáil that the Government cannot support an opposition motion calling for sanctions on Israel because it is not balanced and does not mention Hamas.
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said his party had tabled the motion for debate tomorrow, calling for a tougher response to what he said was Isarel's massacre in Gaza.
Mr Varadkar said neither Hamas nor human rights abuses committed against Israeli citizens merited a line in the motion and he said the Government would instead support its own countermotion.
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Mr Boyd Barrett also accused the Government of facilitating the US military to travel through Shannon Airport when, he said, they were supporting Israel's actions in Gaza.
The Taoiseach said all foreign military aircraft require clearance from the Minister for Defence to travel through Shannon and he said they must be unarmed, and not engaging in intelligence gathering.
The People before Profit TD said the Government should not trust the word of US military and he said the planes should be searched.
