Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has called on the Government to expel Israeli ambassador Boaz Modai from Ireland in protest at the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

Mr Adams' call follows a meeting yesterday between Mr Bodai and Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan, during which Minister Flanagan reiterated the Government’s deep concerns regarding the current situation in Gaza and Israel.

"The decision of the Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan to meet the Israeli Ambassador, following the escalation of the Israeli Government's military onslaught against the besieged population of the Gaza Strip, is welcome," Mr Adams said today.

However, he added, the time was "long past" for "merely expressing concern to a Government that is clearly oblivious to the outrage of the international community".

"The decision by the Israeli Government, in the face of international anger, to escalate its military offensive by launching a ground offensive requires a firm and resolute response by the Irish Government, which must now expel the Israeli Ambassador," Mr Adams said.

Meanwhile protesters will gather in Dublin city centre later for march against the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Hundreds of people are expected to walk from the Spire on O' Connell Street to the Israeli embassy.

"We have to realise that this is not a conflict of equals," said Freda Hughes, spokesperson with the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

"This is a David and Goliath situation where you have a tiny, impoverished (and) trapped population, that are living in what has been referred to by the UN as 'the world's biggest open prison' and they are being constantly bombarded by an extremely tecnhnologically advanced and well-of military machine.

"We need to come out on the side of the people that are being oppressed."