Irish troops to spend Christmas on peacekeeping duty in south Lebanon as UNIFIL observes fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire
More than 300 Irish soldiers will spend Christmas Day on peacekeeping duties at Camp Shamrock in south Lebanon, serving with the UNIFIL mission to observe the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah in the region.
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The deployment means hundreds of service members will mark the holiday away from home. Their work will continue through the day, focused on maintaining stability and monitoring tensions along a sensitive frontier.
RTÉ Morning Ireland’s Justin McCarthy visited Camp Shamrock at the weekend, meeting troops who will spend the day on duty. The soldiers described the mix of routine and resolve that guides a Christmas spent in a theater where even quiet hours require vigilance.
“It’s a lot harder for the families at home,” Battalion Sergeant Major John Kennedy said, reflecting on the reality of being away at a time when most people gather with loved ones.
He added: “We keep them (the soldiers) busy and look after them.” His comments underscored the unit’s focus on welfare and morale as essential parts of mission readiness.
Camp Shamrock has long been a symbol of Ireland’s contribution to international peacekeeping. This year, the presence of Irish troops within UNIFIL carries added weight given the fragile nature of the ceasefire the mission oversees between Israel and Hezbollah.
Though the holiday brings a change in the calendar, it does not change the task at hand. Soldiers cycle through shifts, remain on standby and continue patrols and observation — the core duties intended to reduce the risk of miscalculation and keep a lid on tensions.
The visit by Ireland’s public broadcaster offered a rare glimpse inside the base at a time of year often defined by family gatherings rather than forward operating routines. The soldiers spoke about the pride of serving, the discipline that structures their days and the support systems that help bridge the distance to home.
For families in Ireland, the absence is felt most acutely on Christmas Day. The troops’ message, as voiced by Kennedy, was as much about those waiting at home as the team on the ground — a reminder that military service stretches beyond the wire of Camp Shamrock to the living rooms and dinner tables they will miss this year.
As the day unfolds, the mission’s aim remains steady: observe, deter and maintain calm. The Irish contingent at Camp Shamrock will do so under the UNIFIL banner, keeping their focus on the ceasefire line and their thoughts with the people they serve alongside — and the families they serve for — back home.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
