Irish peacekeepers safe after coming under fire in Lebanon

The patrol returned to UNP 2-45 following the incident and all personnel were accounted for. File picture

Members of the Irish Defence Forces serving with the UN peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon came under small-arms fire during a routine patrol near Bint Jbeil on Thursday evening.

The incident occurred at around 6pm, when a patrol from the 127th Infantry Battalion, operating with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), was fired upon.

In a statement, the Defence Forces said personnel “initiated immediate action drills”, and that their training, force-protection measures and the armoured capabilities of their vehicles ensured all troops remained safe.

The patrol returned to UNP 2-45 following the incident and all personnel were accounted for.

The Defence Forces added that the response demonstrated the battalion’s readiness, saying their tactics, procedures, pre-deployment training and equipment had proven effective.

“We will continue to enact the UNIFIL mandate by monitoring and reporting on the situation in Southern Lebanon and condemn any attacks on peacekeepers,” the statement said.

The Defence Forces can confirm that a patrol conducted by the 127th Infantry Battalion in UNIFIL came under small arms fire. Defence Forces personnel initiated immediate action drills and their actions and force protection measures as well as the armoured capabilities of the… pic.twitter.com/UZ7Ftvfrld

— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) December 5, 2025

Minister for defence Helen McEntee condemned the attack, describing it as “a direct and unacceptable breach of the UN Security Council Resolution.” 

She said she had been fully briefed by the Chief of Staff and praised the troops for their “professionalism in extremely challenging circumstances”.

“I am particularly relieved that all members of the patrol returned safely to base,” she said, adding that Defence Forces personnel “continue to play a vital role in South Lebanon”.