The Irish Defence Forces said in a situation update issued on Monday, October 7 that "all personnel in Lebanon are well and accounted for, and remain vigilant in their mission areas."
The update continued: "The conditions are tough at the moment for all the UN troops, with limited movement from Groundhog positions.
"However, the Irish troops remain steadfast in their determination and resilience to fulfill the mission."
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 remain vigilant in their mission areas. The conditions are tough at the moment for… pic.twitter.com/U3Hst0dsWJ
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) October 7, 2024
The update comes the day after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement that it was "deeply concerned by recent activities by the IDF [Israel Defense Force] immediately adjacent to the Mission’s position 6-52, southeast of Marun ar Ras (Sector West), inside Lebanese territory."
A number of Irish troops are based at UN Post 6-52 which is near the Israeli border.
UNIFIL said on Sunday: "The IDF has been repeatedly informed of this ongoing situation through regular channels.
"This is an extremely dangerous development. It is unacceptable to compromise the safety of UN peacekeepers carrying out their Security Council-mandated tasks.
"UNIFIL urgently reminds all actors of their obligations to protect UN personnel and property."
This is an extremely dangerous development. It is unacceptable to compromise the safety of UN peacekeepers carrying out their Security Council-mandated tasks.
UNIFIL urgently reminds all actors of their obligations to protect UN personnel and property.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) October 6, 2024
On Monday, Andrea Tenenti, a spokesperson for UNIFIL in Lebanon, told Al Jazeera: “We have been seeing in recent days heavy shelling throughout the area of operations.
“The fact [Israeli] troops have moved very close to our position, close to the Irish contingent at the moment, is also a concern because the shelling and the exchanges of fire with Hezbollah is ongoing and we are in the middle of these exchanges of fire.
"So it's definitely concerning.
"Definitely also concerning is the fact we were told to move from certain positions along the Blue Line, but we are staying - we want the UN flag to fly in all these positions close to the Blue Line.”
(The 120km Blue Line, established by the UN in 2000, runs along Lebanon's south border "for the sole purpose of confirming the full withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from Lebanese territory." According to UNIFIL, both sides have accepted UNIFIL as the sole custodian of the Blue Line and the final arbitrator on violations of the Line.)
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins visits UNP 6-52 in 2015. (RollingNews.ie)
Elsewhere on Monday, Taoiseach Simon Harris spoke with UN Secretary-General António Guterres “about the escalating and serious situation in Southern Lebanon where Irish soldiers are on UN peacekeeping duties.”
The Department of the Taoiseach said that Guterres assured Harris that the safety of Irish peacekeepers is of paramount importance and to the fore of his mind.
Guterres said that the UN’s Force Commander and colleagues are constantly evaluating the situation on the ground and that any necessary steps to ensure the safety of UN personnel would be taken. This would be done in very close cooperation with Ireland.
The Taoiseach reiterated it is unacceptable that UN resolutions and the Blue Line in Southern Lebanon have been breached and violated with IDF military activity.
The Secretary-General said he shared the concern and engagement between the UN and Israel is ongoing.
He and the Taoiseach agreed to stay in close contact.
Meanwhile, Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin told RTÉ News on Monday evening that "protection is our number one priority, and to protect our soldiers.
"It seems Israel has set up a forward operating base adjacent to 6-52.
“Israel is saying it takes seriously its obligations to keep Irish peacekeepers safe and out of harm's way, but we believe this act by Israel endangers and compromises the safety and security of Irish troops."
The Tánaiste noted how the UN has formally and publically criticized this decision by the IDF.
Highlighting what he called “reckless behavior,” the Tánaiste said: “Today we know they detonated - for example - under a controlled explosion a building nearby which had the impact then of damaging the protective barrier of our outer protection barrier.”
He added: “Our soldiers are well. They have to take shelter. There is no immediate activity in and around in terms of Hezbollah versus IDF at 6-52."
He went on to say: "The UN is committed to upholding its mandate, it's not going to accede to the Israeli request to pull back."
Earlier in his interview, the Tánaiste remarked: “The obvious takeaway must be now, we need an end to the war.
"We need an end to death and destruction because it only breeds further hate, it only breeds further violence and war.
"People have to get back to a political track, have to get back to a peace track.”
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