Israeli bombing of Lebanon forces children to flee orphanage supported by Irish Defence Forces

Girls from Tibnine orphanage at Unifil's Camp Shamrock in Lebanon at a Christmas party hosted by members of the Defence Forces last year. Bombs landed within 50 to 100 metres of the orphanage after the recent attacks. File picture: Ali Saad/Tibnine Orphanage

Children from an orphanage supported by the Irish Defence Forces have been forced to flee to Beirut from their southern Lebanon base because of Israeli bombing.

Dubbed Ireland’s embassy in south Lebanon, Tibnine Orphanage was at the centre of a major bombing campaign that started on September 23. More than 600 people have already died, including more than 170 women and children.