Taoiseach condemns ‘reckless strike’ on peacekeeping base in Lebanon

The Irish premier has condemned a “reckless attack” on a United Nations interim force (Unifil) base in southern Lebanon.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said all Irish personnel serving with the UN peacekeeping mission in the country close to the border with Israel remain safe and accounted for.

According to Irish national broadcaster RTE, the headquarters of Ghana’s peacekeeping battalion in southern Lebanon was hit by missile attacks, leaving two soldiers critically injured.

It is understood that Irish soldiers helped to evacuate the wounded Ghanaians.

In a statement, the Irish Defence Forces said Irish troops and bases were “not targeted in the attack today on Unifil personnel”.

“All necessary force protection measures continue to be to observed,” they said.

“We condemn any attack on Unifil personnel and remind all parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers.”

Mr Martin echoed the condemnation, saying he “strongly condemns the reckless strike on a Unifil base in southern Lebanon”.

“The role of peacekeepers is sacrosanct and all should go above and beyond to prevent them from coming into harm’s way,” he said in a statement on the social media platform X.

“I would like to pay tribute to the courage, resilience and professionalism of the Irish peacekeepers who came to the aid of their Ghanaian colleagues today.

“I have been briefed on the latest situation, and all Irish personnel serving in Lebanon remain safe and accounted for.”

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said the “deteriorating security situation in Lebanon is extremely worrying”.

“The attack on a Unifil position today is unacceptable. I am in contact with the Chief of Staff and can confirm that all Irish personnel deployed in southern Lebanon are well and accounted for,” she said.

“All necessary force protection measures continue to be observed. I condemn any attack on Unifil personnel and remind all parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers at all times.

“I condemn Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel in support of its Iranian sponsor. As well as menacing civilian communities in northern Israel, this has again endangered Lebanon.

“I also condemn the disproportionate Israeli response, including aerial bombardment, the launch of ground operations and the demand to evacuate civilian populations in southern Lebanon and southern Beirut.

“This week’s hostilities have set back fragile progress made in Lebanon in the past year, including towards the disarmament of Hezbollah.

“The Lebanese government and armed forces need time to take full control of and manage the security of their country.

“I call again on all sides to abide by the terms of the November 2024 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.”