Ireland's Taoiseach Simon Harris addressed the situation in Lebanon while in New York City today, Monday, September 23.
“I am extremely concerned by the overnight bombardment of Southern Lebanon, the massive loss of life reported there, and the spectre that now arises of a second catastrophic front in the war in the Middle East," the Taoiseach said on Monday morning.
He was speaking at the United Nations (UN) in New York where he was addressing a “Save The Children” event alongside the Queen of Jordan and the Prime Ministers of Belgium and Slovenia, as well as the Director General of The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
“This week, the world gathers at the UN to discuss peace and working together, while at the same time, the Middle East is on the brink of further human catastrophe," the Taoiseach said.
"An all-out war must be avoided at all costs.
"I will be using all my engagements at the UN to stress this point and I fully support the appeal from President Biden overnight for that to be the focus of all sides.”
The Taoiseach added that he is closely monitoring the situation with Irish troops serving in Southern Lebanon: “The Government is receiving regular updates, and the Chief of Staff and Defence Forces are in constant contact and monitoring developments.
"Our troops in UNIFIL are well trained and their safety is our main concern.”
The Taoiseach will meet a number of heads of government and state from the Middle East at the UN on Monday.
Also in New York on Monday, Tánaiste Micheál Martin - who last week called for de-escalation following attacks in Lebanon - announced €2 million in funding to support the UN's Refugee Agency's work in Lebanon and Sudan, in addition to €24 million already allocated.
Warm meeting w/ UN High Commissioner for Refugees @FilippoGrandi today
Pleased to announce €2m in funding to support UNHCR’s vital work in Lebanon & Sudan, in addition to €24m already allocated
Thanked him for his colleagues commitment & dedication to helping those in need pic.twitter.com/5jgXZarFvM
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 23, 2024
Meanwhile, Óglaigh na hÉireann (Ireland's Defence Forces) confirmed on Monday that all personnel currently deployed in Lebanon are safe and accounted for.
"Following concerning developments along the Blue Line in recent days, the Defence Forces, in coordination with UNIFIL, are actively monitoring the evolving situation," Óglaigh na hÉireann said in a statement.
"Despite the increased tensions and volatility in the region, particularly within the area of operations for the 124 Infantry Battalion, framework operations continue where possible.
"The safety of our personnel remains a priority as they continue to promote peace and stability in the region.
"Our troops continue to demonstrate their commitment to their mission, working to uphold security and cooperation in this challenging environment."
In December 2022, Irish peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney was killed when his convoy came under fire in Beirut. In June 2023, a Lebanese military court reportedly charged five members of Hezbollah with Rooney's death.
Update following most recent developments in Lebanon
Óglaigh na hÉireann can confirm that all personnel currently deployed in Lebanon are safe and accounted for. Following concerning developments along the Blue Line in recent days, the Defence Forces, in coordination with… pic.twitter.com/T9mKXHKNBe
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) September 23, 2024
Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah have been exchanging fire nearly daily since the Hamas attacks in Israel last October. According to Al Jazeera, the Iran-backed Hezbollah says it would only stop once a ceasefire is achieved in the Palestinian enclave.
The violence has escalated over the past week, with Monday’s attacks being among the heaviest since the start of the war in Gaza.
On Monday, Al Jazeera reported that Israeli air raids hitting mostly southern and eastern Lebanon have killed at least 274 people and wounded at least 1,024, according to Lebanon's health minister.
Last week, 37 people were killed and more than 3,000 were wounded after thousands of pagers exploded in Beirut. Al Jazeera notes that the explosions have been widely blamed on Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.
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