Irish troops prepared for upsurge in violence following Gaza hospital bombing

A Unifil personnel carrier and troops patrol the southern Lebanese plain of the Khiam region on the border with Israel last week. Picture: Joseph Eid / AFP via Getty Images

Irish peacekeeping troops deployed in South Lebanon continue to remain vigilant amid concern the battle between Israeli forces and Palestinian factions Hamas and Hezbollah will intensify following the bombing of a hospital in Gaza, which killed hundreds.

A total of 344 troops from the 122nd Infantry Battalion are deployed on the Israel/Lebanon border between opposing forces and have twice already been forced to take shelter as the both sides fire missiles over their heads.