The Minister for Foreign Affairs says the current humanitarian situation in Gaza is a "catastrophe".

Charlie Flanagan says Israel's use of force in the region is disproportionate, but that Hamas needs to stop firing rockets into Israeli territory.

Speaking at an emergency sitting of the Seanad, Minister Flanagan defended Ireland's decision to abstain in a vote on alleged Israeli war crimes at the UN Human Rights Council last week.

Amid heckles from Senator David Norris, Minister Flanagan said the proposed text didn't acknowledge Hamas's role in causing the conflict: