Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he hopes Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand will be at home with her father in the next few days.

Speaking to RTÉ News, he said while it is not confirmed whether she will be among the hostages being released by Hamas as part of a ceasefire deal, he hopes this is the case.

Nine-year-old Emily is believed to have been abducted by Hamas and is likely being held in Gaza.

Mr Varadkar said the hostage deal situation is a rapidly developing one and it is hard to get accurate information.

However, he said it is understood the four-day ceasefire will commence tomorrow and it will offer a glimmer of hope to have a "more lasting ceasefire".

He said leaders need to start talking about peace and a two-state solution.

Separately, Minister Simon Harris said the Government's position on Israel and Palestine has been clear from day one.

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, he said he was "not going to be silent on the deaths of children", and that the war is disproportionately affecting children.

"I think every parent in Ireland is holding their child tighter these days. I can't imagine what it must be like to be a parent of a child in Gaza or indeed a parent of a child in Israel. This is a war that is disproportionately affecting children."

"More than 40% of the deaths have been of children. Israeli children have suffered, Palestinian children suffered and the position is really clear. It needs to stop. You will not build peace on the graves of children."

Minister Harris said Irish politicians and the Government have the right to clearly articulate their views.

"The view of the Irish Government has been very clear from day one and is fast becoming the view of other governments," he said.

Ultimately we need a humanitarian ceasefire, he added.

We need common sense to prevail, the minister said, and a space for peace to develop.

"I'm a democratically elected member of the Dáil and I'm speaking up and speaking out in relation to the horrific scenario that children in Israel and Palestine are experiencing. I'm thinking of Emily Hand. I'm thinking of her family I'm praying beyond belief for her release.

"I'm thinking of the horrors that her and other children are experiencing that were taken by a terrorist organisation. This is a war on children and all sides, and children are disproportionately losing it. What we need is the humanitarian ceasefire."