Irish troops in south Lebanon safe, on alert as Israel pushes deeper across border
Irish troops serving with the United Nations in south Lebanon are safe, accounted for and prepared for “this period of heightened intensity,” a Defence Forces spokesman said Monday, as Israeli forces advanced into border areas and the United Nations reported at least 30,000 people displaced in Lebanon.
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Commandant Alex Quigley told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that operations remain ongoing, with force-protection measures in place that can be scaled to match the situation. “There are strikes happening at the moment, but [our] personnel are trained and prepared to operate in these environments,” he said. “From the bunkers they are still able to maintain a situational awareness and fulfil the mandated tasks they have to.”
Quigley said routine patrolling has been interrupted by the escalated hostilities, but Irish peacekeepers can operate from protective positions and maintain communications with two forward posts to report what they observe. He said troops remain at positions such as Camp Shamrock and are moving in and out of bunkers as required.
Any decision to move personnel from their current positions will be taken at United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) headquarters, and at UN and Irish government levels, he added.
The comments came hours after Israel’s defense minister instructed his forces to “take control of additional strategic positions in Lebanon,” intensifying concerns over a widening ground operation across the Blue Line. A Lebanese army source told AFP that Israeli ground troops had advanced from Kfar Kila and the Khiam plains along the frontier, voicing concern over “Israel’s attempt to establish a broad security belt in south Lebanon.”
The UN said at least 30,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon amid the latest escalation of hostilities across the region, underscoring the risk to civilians as exchanges of fire intensify.
Quigley said Irish troops maintain situational awareness despite the conditions. While movement is restricted, he said, the units can continue core duties from hardened positions and remain in close contact with their command structure. Force protection can be strengthened or relaxed as the tempo changes, he noted.
Families of deployed personnel are being supported through Defence Forces family liaison officers, who serve as points of contact at home, Quigley said. Wi-Fi access in camp allows troops to call home when conditions permit, and the Defence Forces press office will provide public updates on social media as the situation evolves.
The Irish government is considering contingency plans for Irish citizens in the Middle East amid the deteriorating security environment, officials have said separately.
UNIFIL, which includes Irish troops, has long patrolled the zone between the Litani River and the Israeli border under a mandate to monitor the cessation of hostilities and support the Lebanese Armed Forces. In recent days, exchanges of artillery, airstrikes and cross-border fire have increased the risk to peacekeepers and civilians alike, even as UN commanders urge restraint.
Quigley emphasized that Irish personnel are trained for rapid changes in the operating picture. “Framework operations are still ongoing,” he said, with units prepared to flex if the security posture must change.
Additional reporting by AFP.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
