Israeli forces firing on peacekeepers 'extraordinarily concerning', says Harris

A UN source says there are casualties and they are not Irish. Picture: @DefenceForces

The Taoiseach has described Israel's firing on peace keepers as an "extraordinarily unacceptable situation".

Simon Harris has said the intimidatory behaviour of the IDF against Unifil members in Lebanon poses a new level of concern.

Irish troops based in Lebanon are safe and accounted for after Israeli troops opened fire at three positions held by UN peacekeepers on Thursday.

Unifil said two peacekeepers were injured in the incident, adding: "The injuries are fortunately, this time, not serious, but they remain in hospital."

In a statement on Thursday, Unifil said that the peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at its headquarters in Naqoura, "directly hitting it and causing them to fall".

Speaking in Washington, Mr Harris said: "It's a clear breach of international law for anybody, in the words of the UN to deliberately fire on peacekeeping troops. I think the statement from from Unifil could not be stronger in relation to that. 

"And whilst I note that no Irish troops were caught up in this situation, that's not the entirety of the point, the point of the matter is that there's clear international law around the issue of peacekeeping. When you have the United Nations and Unifil specifically using the phrase 'deliberately fired on' that is an extremely egregious breach of international law."

Mr Harris added: "Israel will have to be judged always on what it does and not what it says. And what has happened here today is extraordinarily concerning. 

"The loss of civilian life is extraordinary concerning the incursion into into Lebanon is concerning what's going on in Gaza is beyond concerning, it's despicable."

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said the incident highlights the need for an immediate ceasefire.

Mr Martin said the bombardment of densely populated areas must stop saying "too many innocent people are being killed" with a further one million displaced.

In a statement, Mr Martin strongly condemned the IDF targeting and firing on Unifil positions in Lebanon calling it "reprehensible and unacceptable" to injure peacekeepers and put them in harm's way.

He said Israel's actions are in breach of international humanitarian law and there needs to be full accountability.

Speaking during leader's question, Mr Martin said: "Our soldiers are professional, they are resilient and they are operating in very challenging environments and I want to thank their families and their loved ones who, far from the field, are extremely anxious about the situation - understandably so."

Responding to a question from Independent TD Cathal Berry, Mr Martin said troops in Lebanon have access to fresh food and contingency packs of food.

"In both outposts, they would have about 20-day supplies in both food and water because ostensibly our Defence Forces leadership put forward supplies in August in anticipation of challenges ahead independent of the UN altogether."

The planned rotation of 300 Irish soldiers, to take place on November 13, 14, 24, is scheduled to go ahead. 

Mr Martin said: "In light of the recent changes to the security environment, UNIFIL Force Commander has made a decision to suspend rotations for October for safety reasons and will review the situation at the end of the month," said Mr Martin.

"Planning, however, remains for the November rotation... obviously it is under active review pending any UN direction in this regard."

Unifil statement 

Unifil said that in recent days it has seen incursions from Israel into Lebanon in Naqoura with the headquarters and nearby positions repeatedly hit.

In the update, Unifil said IDF soldiers also fired on UN position (UNP) 1-31 in Labbouneh where it hit the entrance to the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering.

The hit saw vehicles and a communications system damaged. An IDF drone was observed flying inside the UN position up to the bunker entrance.

On Wednesday, Unifil said IDF soldiers "deliberately fired at and disabled the positions perimeter-monitoring cameras".

"They also deliberately fired on UNP 1-32A in Ras Naqoura, where regular Tripartite meetings were held before the conflict began, damaging lighting and a relay station," the statement said.

In its response to the recent incidents, UNIFIL reminded the IDF of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times.

"Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701," it said.

Hezbollah said earlier it had targeted an Israeli tank with guided missiles while it was advancing to the border area of Ras al-Naqoura, before attacking an Israeli force with a missile salvo while the force was trying to pull injured soldiers out of the area.