Ireland has issued an official letter of protest to Israel after gunfire was reported near peacekeeping troops in southern Lebanon, reports Breaking News.
The event occurred during a joint patrol involving Irish members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) and Lebanese armed forces close to the Blue Line on Thursday.
No injuries were reported among the Irish troops, who are currently serving with Unifil as part of the 126th Infantry Battalion, reports Breaking News.
Óglaigh na hÉireann confirmed on Thursday that all personnel were safe and accounted for, and that they remain actively monitoring developments in southern Lebanon.
Defence Minister Simon Harris ordered that a formal “demarche” be delivered to the Israeli authorities via the United Nations, reports Breaking News.
The statement outlines Ireland’s view that the incident in the village of Yaroun is “completely unacceptable in terms of the safety of peacekeepers and the execution of their mandated duties”.
It also emphasizes that “these concerns are held at the highest levels” within both the Irish Government and Defence Forces, reports Breaking News.
Tánaiste Simon Harris received a full briefing on the matter from the newly appointed Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy.
Shortly before noon on Thursday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) discharged shots into an area where Irish and Lebanese personnel were jointly engaged in peacekeeping operations. No one was hurt, reports Breaking News.
Mr Harris stated: “It’s clear to me that the actions of the IDF were reckless, intimidatory, totally unacceptable and a clear breach of the international rules surrounding peacekeeping. I want to pay tribute to our personnel deployed with Unifil, who are operating in an increasingly volatile and tense environment,” reports Breaking News.
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