Soldiers in Lebanon take shelter amidst firing

Irish soldiers on peacekeeping duty in Lebanon “took shelter in protected positions” on Monday afternoon and continue to monitor the situation, the Defence Forces has confirmed.

This was as a result of exchanges of fire across the Blue Line which is a demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, since the surprise Hamas attack on Israel unleashed a devastating wave of violence in the region killing 900 people inside the country on Saturday. Israel, in response to the attack, has carried out a massive air and artillery bombardment of Gaza that has killed at least 687 people and injured more than 3,700.

A series of posts on X, formerly Twitter, from UNIFIL on Monday said that “peacekeepers detected explosions near Al-Boustan in southwest Lebanon” and while they are working to gather more information, UNIFIL Head & Force Commander Maj Gen Lázaro is in contact with all parties, “urging them to exercise maximum restraint and utilize UNIFIL's liaison and coordination mechanisms to prevent further escalation and loss of life”.

On Saturday, UNIFIL confirmed on social media that their peacekeepers detected several rockets from southeast Lebanon toward Israeli-occupied territory in the general area of Kafr Chouba, and artillery fire from Israel to Lebanon in response.

According to the Defence Forces, all of the Irish and Maltese troops of the 122nd Infantry Battalion, which includes some local soldiers, serving as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are safe and remain in what's called Groundhog (taking shelter in protected positions).

Recent reports, the Defence Forces added, indicate that “the firing is dissipating”. There are 342 members of the Defence Forces serving with UNIFIL.

The statement comes following a query from the Westmeath Independent about the situation for troops serving in Israel, Lebanon and Syria.

The Irish troops of the 68th Infantry Group serving with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), many of whom only left Athlone for the Golan Heights in recent days, “maintain a high degree of vigilance and continue to monitor the situation” in the Golan Heights where they maintain an area of separation between Israeli-occupied Golan and the Syrian Arab Republic.

All non-essential activities are suspended for the 116 personnel stationed there, according to the army, and they “continue to conduct framework operations congruent with mandate implementation.”

Another 13 members of the Defence Forces serving with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) in Israel, Lebanon and Syria are also “maintaining a high level of vigilance” and are monitoring the situation in each country.

“All members are safe and complying with UN security precautions. This is predominantly focused around, considerations to unnecessary travel,” added the Defence Forces.