The Israeli foreign minister says he has summoned the Irish ambassador in Tel Aviv "for a reprimand" following Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's statement on the release of Emily Hand.

The Taoiseach last night described nine-year-old Emily’s release as an "enormous joy and relief" on the social media platform X, adding that "an innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned, and we breathe a massive sigh of relief".

Many in Israel have taken exception to Mr Varadkar’s comment, in particular the terms "lost" and "found".

This afternoon the Taoiseach said the vast majority of people will understand what he was saying when he welcomed Emily's release, adding that he has always been consistent in his unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and hostage taking.

In response to Mr Varadkar's social media remarks, Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen accused the Taoiseach of "losing his moral compass" and needing "a reality check".

"Emily Hand was not 'lost', she was kidnapped by a terror organization worse than ISIS that murdered her stepmother," he said. He added: "Emily and more than 30 other Israeli children were taken hostage by Hamas, and you Leo Varadkar are trying to legitimize and normalize terror. Shame on you!"

He later continued: "Following the outrageous words of the Prime Minister of Ireland about the release of Amelie Hand, who was kidnapped to Gaza by the terrorist organization Hamas, I summoned the Irish ambassador to Israel for a reprimand."

The ambassador to Israel, Sonya McGuinness, is to be summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the next two days.

It is understood Ms McGuinness will be met by senior officials and informed of Israel’s unhappiness that Mr Varadkar chose to described Emily as "lost" as opposed to kidnapped.

It is understood that the ambassador will be told that Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen expects the Taoiseach to either clarify or apologise for his remarks.

This afternoon, Mr Varadkar said: "I call for all hostages to be released without any conditions and always have done so. And the Irish government has worked very hard over the last few weeks, with Egypt, with Qatar, with the Red Cross and also with Israel".

He said the most important thing was that Emily was at home with her family, adding "that's all that really matters". He added that Israel had also called in the ambassadors of Spain and Belgium along with the Irish ambassador, and that all three will be happy to explain their country's position to Israel on this conflict.

The Israeli ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich issued a statement saying that "words matter, especially in war when lives are at stake, and when there is an increase of extreme discourse".

She added: "It is important to remember Emily was kidnapped by terrorists who knew very well where she was all this time - in their hands. So too is still the fate for many Israeli men women and children who were kidnapped and are still held in Gaza. We continue to work and call for their immediate release."

Israel Foreign Minister Eli Cohen accused the Taoiseach of trying to 'legitimize and normalize terror'

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said anyone who read the Taoiseach's statement on X could not be any clearer as to the Irish Government's relief and joy at the release of Emily, and of the other hostages, or condemnation of the Hamas attack on 7 October.

He said he was genuinely surprised at the Israeli foreign minister's reaction.

"We're really clear in terms of our demand and any pressure we could bring to bear to bring to bear on all regional partners, particularly Qatar and Egypt in terms of getting hostages released that has been our entire focus," he said.

He said the Irish Ambassador in Israel has regular contact with the Israeli Foreign Ministry and would make Ireland's position clear, adding that this has been a consistent position, and encouraged people to read the Taoiseach's statement in full.

"If you read in its entirety, I think it's the proper context. It was a reflection of I think, happiness that Emily has been released. I don't think anything more should be read into it," he added.

He said he did not believe anybody could read the statement and somehow believe that the Taoiseach was being equivocal in respect of the Hamas attack on 7 October or of Hamas as an organisation or the abduction of hostages.

'Disgraceful'

Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has described Israel's reaction to the Taoiseach's comment on Emily Hand's release as "disgraceful".

Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics, he said the criticism of Mr Varadkar's comment was "utter deflection" by the Israeli government.

He said Mr Varadkar's statement was very clear that Emily was taken hostage by Hamas and has been condemned across the political divide and by the Taoiseach over and over again.

"This is absolute deflection from Israel who are preparing, I am sure, to begin their bombardment of Gaza again after this ceasefire. What we need now is a focus to make sure Israel doesn't do that, that this ceasefire is a lasting ceasefire and that there is space and opportunity for dialogue and a peace process to emerge out of what we have the last couple of days."

Minister of State Jack Chambers also rejected assertions being made about the Taoiseach's statement and said everyone knows his integrity on the issue.

"This has been completely misrepresented." He said the Taoiseach's statement is very clear in terms of people being taken from their home and held captive.

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said they are reiterating calls for the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland.

"We have seen nothing but propaganda during this 50 days," she said.

She also said there have been clear breaches of humanitarian law.

Additional reporting: Mícheál Lehane