Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday, October 4 that Irish citizens have been evacuated from Lebanon.
"I am pleased to announce that two groups of Irish citizens were assisted to depart Lebanon today," Tánaiste Micheál Martin said in a statement on Friday.
"The citizens departed on flights operated by Ireland’s international partners and they are expected to arrive in Ireland over the weekend."
Pleased to announce that two groups of Irish citizens were assisted to depart Lebanon today and are expected in Ireland over the weekend.
I’d like to thank the governments of The Netherlands and Canada for their cooperation.
More details here: pic.twitter.com/lmoTszJgl3
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) October 4, 2024
The Tánaiste continued: "Throughout this crisis, the Department of Foreign Affairs and our Embassy in Cairo has remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in Lebanon.
"We have worked closely with our EU and other partners to exchange information and coordinate our consular response to the situation in Lebanon.
"This close cooperation meant that Irish citizens, along with others from a number of countries, were able to depart Lebanon today. This is an excellent example of the importance of international cooperation.
"I would like to thank the governments of The Netherlands and Canada who together assisted the departure of 24 Irish citizens and dependents today.
"I would also like to thank our consular response teams in Cairo, Dublin, and across the Middle East who continue to support Irish citizens in the region."
He added: "Many Irish citizens in Lebanon are deeply rooted in the country, with family, work and other links. While we have been able to assist almost all Irish citizens who have expressed a wish to leave, understandably many have decided to remain.
"My Department will remain in close contact with all citizens still in Lbanon over the days and weeks ahead."
Later on Friday, the Tánaiste told reporters in Cork: "The violence is shocking.
"War, in itself, will never solve anything."
In early August, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs updated its travel advice for Lebanon, strongly advising against all travel to the country and strongly advising Irish citizens to leave the country.
Meanwhile, Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Irish Defence Forces, said in an update on Friday that "all personnel in Lebanon are well and accounted for, and are maintaining vigilance in their mission areas.
"Despite the tough conditions, the Irish troops remain steadfast in their determination and resilience to fulfill the mission."
The Irish Defence Forces added that it is aware of "misinformation and imagery circulating" and to contact the Defence Forces through designated communication channels for all information on overseas personnel.
Situation Update on Irish Defence Forces serving with overseas missions in Lebanon for family members
The Defence Forces can reconfirm that all personnel in Lebanon are well and accounted for, and are maintaining vigilance in their mission areas. Despite the tough conditions,… pic.twitter.com/LLTfwggUHq
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) October 4, 2024
Separately, The Irish Times reported on Friday that the Israel Defense Forces has told Ireland to remove its peacekeepers from an outpost on the border with Lebanon as its invasion of the country continues.
The Irish Times noted that the Irish Defences Forces’ 124th Infantry Battalion, Ireland’s contribution to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) missions, is comprised of 370 troops. However, there are currently fewer than 300 troops in the area of operations due, in part, to a large contingent of personnel returning to Ireland on leave before the latest hostilities.
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