Watchtower at UN’s main base in Naqoura ‘deliberately targeted’ by tank shellTwo hospitalised in incidentSimon Harris says ‘the Blue Helmet worn by UN peacekeepers must be sacrosanct’Micheál Martin says it is ‘unacceptable to injure peacekeepers and to put them in harm’s way’Irish troops located at Naqoura base not injured
Israeli forces fired a tank shell at a watchtower used by United Nations peacekeepers in south Lebanon yesterday, one of three cases in the last 24 hours of the peacekeeping force’s positions coming under Israeli fire, a UN source said.
Two peacekeepers with the Unifil peacekeeping force were injured in the incident, but not seriously, after the watchtower at the force’s main base in Naqoura was fired upon, the source said.
“It is reprehensible and unacceptable to injure peacekeepers and to put them in harm’s way,” Mr Martin said in a statement.
“Israel has an obligation to protect peacekeepers and its actions are in breach of international humanitarian law.
“There needs to be full accountability for these actions. No Irish troops were involved. All are safe and accounted for.”
For his part, Taoiseach Simon Harris expressed his “deep concern” at the turn of events, but confirmed that Irish troops will continue their mission with Unifil in the volatile region.
Taioseach Simon Harris speaks to the media about the Middle East after meeting President Joe Biden
He said despite the “extremely difficult circumstances”, Irish Unifil peacekeepers are remaining in place.
“I am deeply concerned by reports that the Israeli Defence Forces have fired at Unifil positions at its headquarters in Naqoura. We send our solidarity to the military personnel who suffered light injuries as a result.
“The members of the Irish Defence Forces serving with Unifil, both in Camp Shamrock and in posts close to the Blue Line, were not involved and remain well. They are continuing to carry out their mission with distinction, despite the extremely difficult circumstances,” the Taoiseach said.
Mr Harris also said firing on peacekeepers “can never be tolerated or acceptable”.
“The Blue Helmet worn by UN peacekeepers must be sacrosanct. They are serving on behalf of the international community in some of the most challenging places in the world. They are not combatants, and their role must be respected at all times,” the Taoiseach said.
“I am being briefed regularly on the safety of our members of the Defence Forces in Lebanon, and will remain in close contact with the UN Secretary General. Their safety remains paramount.
Tánaiste Micheal Martin. Photo: Brian Lawless/ Press Association.
“I again call on all sides for an immediate ceasefire which can facilitate full implementation of UN Resolution1701 and provide security to civilian populations in Israel and Lebanon.”
It is understood there are Irish troops stationed at the UN’s main base, but none were injured in the incident.
“I’m in a position to report to the House that I understand a statement will issue shortly from our Defence Forces stating all Irish accounted for and well in Lebanon,” Mr Martin earlier told the Dáil.
“Could I also pay tribute to our soldiers in the Lebanon and all of the peacekeepers in uniform from 50 contributing countries totalling about 10,000 in there at the moment, who are doing the most noble list, most noble activities of all,” the Tánaiste added.
It’s understood there were no casualties in the other two incidents – one yesterday and the other today. In both cases, Unifil positions came under Israeli small-arms fire. There is understood to be 29 UN positions based near the Blue Line, the border between Israel and Lebanon.
A spokesperson for Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “The Taoiseach has been briefed. All Irish troops are safe and doing their duties.”
Unifil said its headquarters and nearby positions have been repeatedly hit in a statement issued this afternoon.
It added that the IDF deliberately fired at a number of UN positions.
“This morning, two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at Unifil’s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall. The injuries are fortunately, this time, not serious, but they remain in hospital,” Unifil said in a statement.
Sensibly, our Defence Forces leadership put forward supplies out in August in anticipation of challenges ahead and independent of the UN altogether
“IDF soldiers also fired on UN position (UNP) 1-31 in Labbouneh, hitting the entrance to the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and damaging vehicles and a communications system. An IDF drone was observed flying inside the UN position up to the bunker entrance.
“Yesterday, IDF soldiers deliberately fired at and disabled the position’s perimeter-monitoring cameras. They also deliberately fired on UNP 1-32A in Ras Al Naqoura, where regular tripartite meetings were held before the conflict began, damaging lighting and a relay station.
“We remind the IDF and all actors 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. Unifil peacekeepers are present in south Lebanon to support a return to stability under Security Council mandate. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701.”
United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres. Photo: Reuters
The Tánaiste said plans for the rotation of troops scheduled for next month continue, but that this is under active review.
“The handover from the 124th to 125th battalion in Unifil was to occur on November 13 to 14 and November 24 and 25. But in light of the recent changes to the security environment, the 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,” the Tánaiste told the Dáil.
“Planning, however, remains for the November rotation. Obviously, it’s under active review, pending on a UN direction in this regard.”
Earlier this week it was confirmed that Israeli troops would be departing a post near to Irish troops in southern Lebanon.
There was no official statement from Unifil or immediate comment from the Israeli military.
The Tánaiste also reassured the Dáil that troops had plenty of food and water supplies.
“There’s both fresh food and contingency food banks available certainly at 242, and in terms of the outpost, they would have about 20 days’ supplies in both food and water.
“Because sensibly, our Defence Forces leadership put forward supplies out in August in anticipation of challenges ahead and independent of the UN altogether. So we have provided those supplies which have given us a buffer.”
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.
Unifil had said on Sunday that it was “deeply concerned by recent activities” by the Israeli military near a peacekeeper position in south-western Lebanon.
It did not provide details, but said the activities were dangerous and that it was “unacceptable to compromise the safety of UN peacekeepers carrying out their Security Council-mandated tasks”.
In a letter to Israel’s military dated October 3 and seen by Reuters, Unifil had objected to Israeli military vehicles and troops positioning themselves “in immediate proximity” to UN positions, “thereby endangering the safety and security of Unifil personnel and premises”.
On Tuesday UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said the Israeli army had left its position near UN Post 6-52, where Irish peacekeepers are stationed.
“Yesterday, I had a chance to speak with your prime minister,” Mr Guterres told RTÉ News.
“I can now tell you that those Israeli tanks and other armed elements that were around the 6-52 position have left.
“I strongly appeal to both parties to fully respect the safety and security of Unifil (UN Interim Force in Lebanon).”
A Unifil source confirmed that IDF moved from around the Irish base on Tuesday morning.
“The IDF has withdrawn from the forward operation base they established around the Irish base (UNP 6-52),” the source said.
“As of noon today they (IDF) are not there anymore. They have left. We don’t know if they are coming back, but hopefully not.”
More to follow…
