Ireland's Ambassador to Israel has expressed "surprise" on the part of the Irish Government after the Taoiseach's comments at Emily Hand's release had been publicly criticised by the Israeli Government.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Sonya McGuinness presented Israel's foreign ministry with the "full statements" issued by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste following the release of Irish-Israeli girl Emily by Hamas on Saturday night.

The Department of Foreign Affairs statement said: "These statements referenced the traumatic experience endured by Emily and her family, reiterated thanks to international partners who had facilitated her freeing from captivity and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

"In this context, Ambassador McGuinness expressed surprise on the part of the Irish Government that these expressions of evident relief at Emily's release had been publicly criticised by the Israeli Government."

Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen yesterday said he has summoned the Irish ambassador in Tel Aviv "for a reprimand", after having taken exception to Leo Varadkar's statement over the weekend, in which he referred to Emily having been "lost" and "found".

The department statement said that during today's meeting at the Israeli foreign ministry, the ambassador reiterated the Government's position that all hostages held by Hamas should be released immediately.

She also reiterated the importance of respecting international humanitarian law and getting humanitarian supplies to Gaza.

Reacting to Mr Varadkar's remarks, Mr Cohen accused the Taoiseach of "losing his moral compass" and needing "a reality check", adding that his words were "outrageous". Israeli President Isaac Herzog has also called the remarks "unacceptable".

Mr Varadkar, who later posted his entire statement in full on the social media platform, yesterday 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.

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Meanwhile, an Israeli army spokesperson has made what appears to be a pointed reference to the controversy over Mr Varadkar's comments.

During an address Admiral Daniel Hagari and IDF spokesperson said: "Our Hostages are not lost, we won’t sit around and hope they are found."

Mr Hagari called for international organisations, including the International Red Cross, to ensure that medial teams visit and assess the hostages remaining in Gaza.

Earlier, Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said he believes Israel has overreacted to the Taoiseach's remarks.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland this morning, Mr Harris said the Taoiseach's statement speaks for itself, adding that Mr Varadkar calls out terrorism every single day.

"Look, this is a complete distraction," he said.

"Emily Hand, the little girl is free. She spent 50 days in captivity. She celebrated her 9th birthday. She's back with her dad, Tom. He's planning the biggest birthday party for her."

"The country is utterly elated, as is the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Government. The Government worked really hard with diplomatic partners in relation to this and I think anyone who reads the Taoiseach’s statement, and indeed anyone who knows the Taoiseach’s record, of course he calls out terrorism. Absolutely every single day."

Mr Harris added: "I don’t wish to add any provocation, but I think the Taoiseach’s statement absolutely speaks for itself.

Simon Harris said the Taoiseach's statement on Emily's release was clear (file image)

"Israel have decided to summon a number of ambassadors from a number of European countries in recent days. It's their prerogative to do that. I think it is a bit of an overreaction, being honest."

"I think that the Taoiseach’s statement was extraordinarily clear and the main thing is Emily Hand is back with her family," Mr Harris said.

'No tit-for-tat response' - Humphreys

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys agreed with Minister Harris, also saying it was "somewhat of an overreaction".

However, she said the Government would not reprimand the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland in return.

"In terms of the Israeli Ambassador, we are not getting into a tit-for-tat here," she said.

"The Taoiseach made his comments in a wider spectrum and I think most Irish people know perfectly well that the Taoiseach condemns what happened."

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

Opposition parties have also expressed criticism of the Israeli reaction to the statement, with Sinn Féin calling it "disgraceful" and an "utter deflection", while the Social Democrats yesterday reiterated their call to expel Israel’s ambassador to Ireland.

Coveney hopeful of quick resolution

Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Simon Coveney said he hoped Ireland will be able to settle its diplomatic dispute with Israel "quickly" when the Irish Ambassador to Israel has an opportunity to visit the foreign ministry.

"I think there is a view in Israel that Ireland has taken a very strong position on one side of the argument and perhaps that's what's triggered such a strong response from the Israeli foreign minister," Mr Coveney said.

"I think it's unfair, I have to say, in the context of what the Taoiseach has been saying throughout this conflict. He has been one of the strongest voices in Ireland to criticise Hamas, their attack on innocent civilians in Israel, and of course, their kidnapping of hundreds of women, children and innocent civilians.

"He's also been strong, though, in terms of ensuring that Israel's response to that Hamas terrorist attack is within the confines of international law and that Palestinian children and women and innocent civilians also have a right to protection in international law."

Mr Coveney said he hoped the dispute would be settled so that Ireland can focus on being "an advocate for peace, a ceasefire, humanitarian support".

He added that the ceasefire had to apply to both sides.

"Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israel, they must release all hostages and of course, Israel has to ensure that they comply with international law as well."

Mr Coveney is in Brussels for a meeting with EU trade ministers, focusing on WTO reform, as well as the EU Mercosur trade deal.

Additional reporting Tony Connelly