The Taoiseach has asserted that Israel needs to halt its fire on UNIFIL troops stationed in southern Lebanon.
These remarks follow incidents where Israeli forces targeted the headquarters of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, resulting in injuries to peacekeepers for the second consecutive day.
UNIFIL’s Naqoura headquarters has been struck by explosions twice within the past 48 hours.
Two peacekeepers sustained injuries due to two explosions occurring near an observation tower.
“President Biden and I discussed the situation during our meeting at the White House this week and concurred that those serving in Blue Helmets on behalf of the UN must receive full protection,” Mr. Harris stated.
“I also engaged directly with the Secretary General of the United Nations regarding this matter.”
Earlier, Minister for Defence and Tánaiste Micheál Martin labeled the news of UNIFIL troops in Naqoura being fired upon by Israel as “reckless and intimidatory.”
Mr. Martin remarked that, in his opinion, an attack on UN peacekeepers constitutes an assault on the international community. He emphasized that the international community must collectively engage with Israel and exert pressure on it to refrain from such activities, ensuring the safety of UN peacekeepers.
“This represents a serious escalation of IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) hostility towards UN forces and posts,” he added.
The Tánaiste described the occurrences of the last 48 hours as utterly unacceptable.
Ireland contributes 347 of the 10,000 soldiers deployed in UNIFIL forces, which are responsible for maintaining peace in southern Lebanon.
In another development, several T-walls at UN position 1-31 near the Blue Line demarcation in Labbouneh collapsed when an IDF caterpillar struck the perimeter, and Israeli tanks operated nearby.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces characterized the Israeli strike as an “egregious violation” and asserted it was “not an accidental act.”
Speaking to RTÉ’s Six One, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy described the actions as “reckless” and intolerable, adding that the Israeli military must be held accountable.
In a prior statement, the Israeli Defence Forces claimed that UNIFIL personnel were “inadvertently” injured during an operation targeting a nearby Hezbollah “threat.”
However, Gen Clancy expressed skepticism regarding the Israeli assertion that the strike was unintentional.
“From a military perspective, this is not an accidental act. It is a deliberate action,” he stated.
“Whether it results from indiscipline or is a directed strike, it is neither justifiable nor acceptable.”
He also noted the challenge in understanding Israel’s “strategic objective” behind the action.
We need your consent to load this comcast-player content. We use comcast-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences
Lt Gen Clancy stated that the presence of Irish troops in Lebanon is “most important” for accurately documenting events occurring there.
He emphasized that such documentation is lacking in Gaza and that the actions taking place in southern Lebanon need to be recorded, holding those responsible accountable.
Lt Gen Clancy added that the Irish troops in Lebanon are doing well, and their morale remains “strong and resolute.”
Taoiseach hopeful for ceasefire agreement following Biden meeting; Southern EU nations call for a Middle East ceasefire.
