Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Ireland will push for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

He was speaking ahead of a European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday.

Leaders are meeting for the two-day summit to discuss the unfolding situation in the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine and the EU's long-term budget.

Mr Varadkar said more aid has to be allowed into Gaza.

"Ireland will be making a strong case that there should be a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza; an opportunity for us to get humanitarian aid in and get EU citizens out," he said.

"We fully stand over Israel's right to defend itself, condemn the terrorists who attacked their civilians.

"But how the response is conducted is important in terms of future security for the whole region, including here in the European Union."

'Palestinian people are suffering'

Mr Varadkar said language around any ceasefire is not important, as long as the conditions are met.

It comes after two resolutions calling for a halt to the conflict failed at United Nations Security Council on Wednesday.

"As the European Union called for a humanitarian ceasefire, a humanitarian pause, I'm not obsessed about what language we use," Mr Varadkar said.

"What we want is the killing and the violence to stop so that humanitarian aid can get into Gaza where innocent Palestinian people are suffering; and also to allow us to get EU citizens out," he added.

Mr Varadkar said there were "about 30 Irish-Palestinian citizens in Gaza."

"We're keen for them to be able to leave Gaza if they want to leave, and that's currently not possible," he added.

Destroyed buildings in Abu Al-Kass, Gaza on October 25th 2023. Image: © WFP

It comes as more aid is passing from Egypt to the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said on Thursday 12 trucks containing water, food, medicines and medical supplies crossed the Rafah border.

So far, a total of 74 trucks have been received, but fuel has not been allowed to enter the Gaza Strip.

While Qataris leading negotiations have said all the civilians being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza can be released in days, if there is a pause in the fighting.

So far four hostages have been released - an American mother and her daughter, and two elderly Israeli women.

More than 200 from many different countries remain captive inside Gaza.

Main image: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking to the media ahead of a European Council meeting in Brussels, Belgium on October 26th 2023. Image: European Union