Ireland urges Israel and Lebanon to 'avoid escalation' 

Israeli forces fire shells into Lebanon after a barrage of rockets were fired from Lebanon earlier today. Picture: Ayal Margolin/Jinipix/AP

Ireland has called on armed forces in Israel and Lebanon to “avoid escalation” in what the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, which includes Irish soldiers, has described as a “very dangerous” situation.

Ireland, which has a seat on the UN Security Council, said a meeting was held earlier today at the council involving countries contributing members to the UNIFIL mission.