The Taoiseach says the potential release of Israeli hostages is still happening but probably not until Friday.
The deal includes the release of 50 hostages in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners from jails in Israel.
The hostages have been held since an attack by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7th.
A four-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was expected to get underway this morning.
The Taoiseach says there's talk the proposed ceasefire could be extended if more hostages are released.
Leo Varadkar says it's still not known if 9-year-old Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand will be one of the women and children to be let go.
"I can't imagine what a traumatic experience like that is being held captive in a tunnel away from your family, so hopefully she [Emily] is out, in the next few days and, you know.
"Maybe I'm a foolish optimist, but if there can be a ceasefire for four days, maybe there can be a ceasefire for a longer period.
"I think it's possible that there's some suggestions that, um, it could be extended if more hostages are released".
