The Taoiseach has strongly asserted that Israel must halt its attacks on UNIFIL personnel stationed in southern Lebanon.
This statement follows a recent incident in which Israeli forces targeted the headquarters of UN peacekeepers, resulting in injuries to peacekeepers for the second time in just two days.
For the second time within 48 hours, explosions rattled the Naqoura base of UNIFIL, causing significant concern.
Two peacekeepers sustained injuries when blasts erupted near an observation tower, illuminating the perilous conditions these soldiers face.
“When President Biden and I met at the White House this week, we discussed the escalating situation. We both agree that those in Blue Helmets representing the UN deserve unwavering protection,” Mr. Harris commented.
He also indicated that he had spoken directly with the Secretary-General of the United Nations about the unfolding events.
In a preceding statement, Defence Minister and Tánaiste Micheál Martin criticized the repeated assaults on UNIFIL troops in Naqoura as “reckless and intimidatory.”
Mr. Martin emphasized that any attack on UN peacekeepers constitutes an attack on the international community as a whole. He urged the global community to unite in exerting pressure on Israel to cease these actions, safeguarding peacekeepers from peril.
“This escalation of hostility by the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) towards UN forces and posts is extremely troubling,” he remarked.
The Tánaiste added that the incidents of the last two days are simply unacceptable.
Iceland provides 347 of the 10,000 troops serving with UNIFIL, tasked with ensuring peace in southern Lebanon.
Simultaneously, concerns rose as several T-walls at UN position 1-31, located near the Blue Line in Labbouneh, collapsed. This followed an incident with an Israeli caterpillar vehicle impacting the perimeter, as Israeli tanks operated dangerously close.
In a related report, the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces condemned the Israeli airstrike as an “egregious violation” and contended that it was far from a mere accident.
Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, speaking on RTÉ’s Six One news, described the actions as “reckless” and emphasized that such behavior is intolerable, asserting that accountability for the Israeli military is paramount.
Earlier, the Israeli Defence Forces had claimed that UNIFIL personnel were “inadvertently” injured while they targeted a Hezbollah threat nearby. However, Gen Clancy remained skeptical regarding the Israeli assertion of unintentionality.
“From a military perspective, this cannot be brushed off as an accident. It is undeniably a deliberate act,” he stated.
“Whether it results from sheer indiscipline or is a directive act, it remains wholly unconscionable.”
He expressed uncertainty regarding Israel’s strategic intentions behind this aggression.
We require your consent to load this Comcast player content. This service manages extra content that may set cookies on your device, collecting data about your activity. Please review their details and grant access to load the content. Manage Preferences
Lt. Gen Clancy underscored the critical role of Irish troops in Lebanon, describing their presence as essential for accurately documenting the events occurring there.
He noted that the opportunity for such documentation is currently lacking in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of accountability for those perpetrating acts in southern Lebanon.
He also reassured that the Irish troops in Lebanon are in good spirits—“strong and resolute” in their mission.
The Taoiseach expressed hope for a potential ceasefire agreement in the aftermath of his meeting with President Biden. Southern EU nations are also rallying for a ceasefire in the troubled region.
Additional reporting from PA and AFP.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
