Irish troops 'remain vigilant' as Israel begin ground operations in Lebanon

Israeli army tanks near the Israel-Lebanon border last week. Picture: AP/Baz Ratner

Irish troops serving in Lebanon are “accounted for and well”, despite the rising tensions in the country, the Defence Forces has said.

Israel's military has started ground operations in southwest Lebanon, expanding its incursions to a new zone a year after exchanges of fire began with the militant group Hezbollah.

In a statement, the Irish Defence Forces said the 124 Infantry Battalion “remains vigilant”, with “no significant changes” reported in the operational environment at this time.

“Defence Forces Headquarters remain in regular contact with our leadership and Unifil HQ on the ground, getting updates on the ongoing situation in our three mission areas [Undof, Untso and Unifil],” the spokesperson said.

“They continue to monitor and report violations of UNSCR 1701 by all parties, independently and impartially,” 

Iran, meanwhile, has warned Israel against any attacks, saying it will be met with retaliation.

Irish Cabinet ministers are being updated about the safety of Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon amid growing concern for the troops.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he is briefing Government colleagues about the security situation in the Middle East on Tuesday.

Mr Martin said the conflict in the Middle East is having “devastating consequences” for the people of Lebanon and Gaza.

“Peace is needed, we need a political track, we need a peace track. Hezbollah need to desist firing rockets. Israel need to desist in our view,” Mr Martin said on Tuesday morning.

“We need a negotiated agreement between all the parties here.

“We continue our efforts with all parties. The US, France, Italy and others have been trying to negotiate a settlement in Lebanon but to no avail.

“Israel has a very clear agenda, it seems, in terms of Hezbollah and in terms of Hamas, but the problem is the entire population of Gaza was attacked.

“Some 70% of buildings in Gaza have been levelled, schools have been levelled.

“There hasn’t been a child going to school in Gaza for 12 months."

On Monday, the Irish Examiner reported the mother of a two-year-old Irish citizen who is being held captive by his father in war-torn Lebanon has pleaded with the Taoiseach to help return her child saying: “We can’t leave him there my child is not safe, time is running out”.

Catherine Flanagan, aged 39, from Belfast, has not seen her son David Nahle since January this year. He was taken from her by his father in August 2022 during a family holiday when he was 10 months old.

David, who will be turning three soon, has both Irish and British citizenship. His mother said she organised four evacuation flights for him last week, but his father refused to allow the child to travel.

- Additional reporting from PA