Irish troops not affected as Israeli shells hit UN post in Lebanon

The Defence Forces said Irish peacekeeping troops were not affected by an incident this week in which two suspected mortar rounds hit a UN position near Yaroun in Southern Lebanon.

The incident is believed to have occurred on Monday night in an area under the peacekeeping responsibility of the 127th Irish-Polish battalion. Some 360 Irish troops are currently serving in South Lebanon, having deployed there in November for a six-month mission.

A statement issued on behalf of the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) indicated the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were responsible for the incident this week.

The Defence Forces here issued a condemnation of "any attack on UNIFIL personnel" and said it wished to remind "all parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security" of peacekeepers.

"All Irish personnel deployed in Southern Lebanon are well and accounted for and none were involved in the incident involving UNIFIL personnel," said Óglaigh na hÉireann in a social media post.

"All Irish personnel deployed in Southern Lebanon are well and accounted for and none were involved in the incident involving UNIFIL personnel. All necessary force protection measures continue be to observed.

"We condemn any attack on UNIFIL personnel and remind all parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers," the statement added.

UNIFIL's statement on the incident this week stated that "two possible illuminating flare mortar rounds" hit the helipad and main gate of a UN position southwest of Yaroun.

"Peacekeepers immediately went to shelter for their safety. Fortunately, no one was hurt. UNIFIL sent a stop fire request to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)," it said.

"Yet again, we remind the IDF of its obligation to ensure the safety of peacekeepers and to cease activities that endanger them and their positions.

"Any actions that put peacekeepers at risk are serious violations of Security Council resolution 1701, and undermine the stability we are working to achieve," UNIFIL added.

The Irish peacekeepers departed for their current mission following a ceremony attended by then-Minister for Defence Simon Harris in Athlone at the end of October. The Irish troops are being led by Ballymahon native Lt Col Mark Lennon.