Irish PM says Israel’s attacks in Gaza ‘approaching revenge’

The Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar described Israel's war on Gaza as "something approaching revenge" on Friday, in some of the strongest criticism against Israel used by a European leader.

The number of Palestinians killed by Israel is approaching 10,000, the majority of them children and women. 

Varadkar said he "strongly believes" in Israel's right to defend itself but added that their action in Gaza has crossed that limit. 

"What I'm seeing unfolding at the moment isn't just self-defence. It looks, resembles something more approaching revenge," Varadkar told journalists during a visit to South Korea, according to comments broadcast by state radio RTE.

"That's not where we should be. And I don't think that's how Israel will guarantee future freedom and future security," he added.

Asked by a journalist whether Israel's actions were war crimes, Varadkar added "That's not for me to determine."