Taoiseach calls on Israel to show restraint

Israeli tanks near the border with Lebanon on Wednesday. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency says Israeli shelling of southern Lebanese villages has wounded three civilians and damaged about 10 homes. Photo: AP/Ariel Schalit

Israel must show “restraint” and cease attacks on civilian infrastructure or any international solidarity will “evaporate very quickly”, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says.

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon during Leaders’ Questions, Mr Varadkar said that he believed Israel had the right to defend itself following attacks by Hamas over the weekend, but this must be kept within the “parameters of international law”. Mr Varadkar said that any solidarity gained in recent days by Israel could “evaporate” if their response to the Hamas attacks are not proportionate.