Ireland's Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin are both calling for de-escalation in the Middle East.
“I strongly condemn the missile attack by Iran on Israel and call on Tehran to immediately halt its reckless actions,” Ireland's Tánaiste Micheál Martin said in a statement late on Tuesday.
“Our sympathy is with the Israeli people in the face of this aggression, and with all in the region impacted by ongoing violence."
The Tánaiste said his Department is in contact with Ireland's Embassy in Tel Aviv, as well as Ireland's Representative Office in Ramallah.
"We urge all our citizens affected to take every precaution and follow the advice of authorities," he continued.
“This continuing escalation needs to stop.
“The consequences of widening regional conflict would be disastrous for all the peoples of the region.
“I urge all leaders to think of the immediate and long term consequences of their actions.
“We need to see immediate ceasefires in Gaza and in Lebanon, the release of hostages, and a return to diplomatic and political pathways to bring this cycle of violence to an end.”
I strongly condemn the missile attack by Iran on Israel and call on Tehran to immediately halt its reckless actions.
This continuing escalation needs to stop.
My statement⬇️ pic.twitter.com/mG2vLkY5jp
— Micheál Martin (@MicheálMartinTD) October 1, 2024
Late on Tuesday, Iran launched some 180 missiles into Israel. According to the Associated Press, Iran said it fired the missiles on Tuesday as retaliation for attacks that killed leaders of Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Iranian military.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israel said that it had begun limited ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
As the AP notes, Iran's attack on Israel on Tuesday is "the latest in a series of escalating attacks in a yearslong conflict between Israel and Iran and its Arab allies that threatens to push the Middle East closer toward a regionwide war."
The day before Iran launched its missile attack on Israel, Ireland's Tánaiste participated in an extraordinary videoconference meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on the situation in Lebanon.
“I call on all sides to immediately de-escalate and support efforts to reach a ceasefire," the Tánaiste said on Monday ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
"This must be the priority now."
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Simon Harris spoke with Najib Mikati, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, earlier on Tuesday "to discuss the escalating violence in Lebanon and the wider Middle East as well as Irish Troops serving in UNIFIL."
The Department of the Taoiseach said that Harris "expressed Ireland’s serious concerns at the loss of life and deteriorating humanitarian situation, with 1 million people displaced in Lebanon to date."
The Taoiseach, the Department said, condemned the actions of Hezbollah in firing missiles into Israel and expressed his condolences to the Prime Minister on the significant number of civilian deaths resulting from Israel’s bombardment and military incursion.
The Taoiseach expressed Ireland’s continued commitment to supporting Lebanon, confirming that Ireland has provided a further €1 million in aid, bringing total assistance to Lebanon to €5 million in 2024.
Harris and Mikati discussed the importance of UNIFIL’s mission in Lebanon, and their commitment to the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701, which calls for ending hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.
The Taoiseach emphasised that the safety of the 380 Irish troops serving with UNIFIL is of paramount importance as well as the ability to carry out their mandate.
The Taoiseach reiterated his deep concern that the situation could spiral out of control and risk a wider regional war. He called on all sides to step back from the brink and to agree an immediate ceasefire, stressing that what is needed urgently is a political and diplomatic solution that ensures security for Lebanon and Israel and that enables Lebanon to rebuild and prosper.
The Taoiseach reassured Prime Minister Mikati that this is Ireland’s focus, working with partners in the EU and at the UN.
This evening I spoke by phone with Prime Minister Mikati of Lebanon to discuss the escalating violence in Lebanon and the wider Middle East as well as Irish Troops serving in UNIFIL.
I expressed 🇮🇪's serious concerns at the loss of life and deteriorating humanitarian situation. pic.twitter.com/10q1VCOPlt
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) October 1, 2024
Also earlier on Tuesday, Óglaigh na hÉireann confirmed that "while the situation is tense, all Irish personnel remain accounted for and safe."
The Defence Forces can confirm that while the situation is tense all Irish personnel remain accounted for and safe. They remain vigilant and are maintaining force protection measures. Defence Forces headquarters remain in regular contact with our personnel on the ground.… pic.twitter.com/LfamMWJTmK
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) October 1, 2024
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