WATCH: Irish peacekeepers' mission "remains unchanged" amid ongoing tensions in Lebanon

The mission of Ireland's 127th Infantry Battalion in Lebanon "remains unchanged" amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the chief of staff of the Defence Forces said this morning (Thursday).

His comments came after three Indonesian peacekeepers with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were killed, and a further three injured, in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon last weekend during ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

The 127th Infantry Battalion, dispatched from Custume Barracks in Athlone, and including many local soldiers, is continuing its mission in the area. The battalion consists of more than 350 peacekeepers.

All members of Óglaigh na hÉireann remain "well and accounted for", the Defence Forces said.

In a video statement, the chief of staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, said he wished to reassure the soldiers' families at home.

“We are maintaining continuous communications, 24 hours a day, with the Irish battalion overseas, as well as our personnel working in UNIFIL,” he said.

“Any developments that may affect their safety are monitored in real time, and appropriate actions are taken.”

He added that Irish troops on the ground continue to operate with “professionalism, discipline, and resilience” despite what he described as a “challenging operating environment”.

“Their mission remains unchanged; to observe, monitor and report. Our personnel continue to act as the eyes and ears of the international community,” he said.

“The safety and wellbeing of our personnel is my foremost priority. All necessary force protection measures are being strictly observed and remain under constant review.”

WATCH THE FULL STATEMENT FROM THE DEFENCE FORCES' CHIEF OF STAFF: