Irish troops in Lebanon ‘safe and accounted for’ as Martin blasts ‘reckless’ strike on base that injured peacekeepers

TAOISEACH Micheal Martin has condemned a “reckless” strike on a Unifil base in Lebanon that left Ghanian peacekeepers seriously injured.

Martin confirmed tonight he has been briefed on the latest incident in southern Lebanon and that all Irish personnel remain safe and well.

Mr Martin said: “The role of peacekeepers is sacrosanct, and all should go above and beyond to prevent them from coming into harm’s way.

“I would like to pay tribute to the courage, resilience, and professionalism of the Irish peacekeepers who came to the aid of their Ghanian colleagues today.

“I have been briefed on the latest situation, and all Irish personnel serving in Lebanon remain safe and accounted for.”

Irish troops are stationed across UN positions as part of their peacekeeping mission in the region.

This includes posts close to the Blue Line — the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon and the focal point of escalating hostilities.

Following the attack on UN peacekeeping personnel today, a spokesperson for the Defence Forces has confirmed also confirmed all Irish troops are “well and accounted for”.

The spokesperson said: “Irish troops and bases were not targeted in the attack today on 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.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee has also condemned the “deteriorating security situation” in Lebanon.

She added that the attack on a UNIFIL position today “is unacceptable” and said that all necessary force protection measures continue to be observed.

Minister McEntee said: “The deteriorating security situation in Lebanon is extremely worrying and will undoubtedly set back the years of progress made in the country.

“I condemn any attack on UNIFIL personnel and remind all parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers at all times.

“I condemn Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel in support of its Iranian sponsor. As well as menacing civilian communities in northern Israel, this has again endangered Lebanon.”

She continued: “I also condemn the disproportionate Israeli response, including aerial bombardment, the launch of ground operations and the demand to evacuate civilian populations in southern Lebanon and southern Beirut. 

“This week’s hostilities have set back fragile progress made in Lebanon in the past year, including towards the disarmament of Hezbollah.

“The Lebanese government and Armed Forces need time to take full control of and manage the security of their country.”

Meanwhile, Ms McEntee also said today that the chartered flight to repatriate vulnerable Irish citizens from the Middle East has been delayed until Saturday.

Two Emirates flights have already carried hundreds of Irish citizens from Dubai to Dublin this week.

The flight, which had been due to depart today, will now leave Oman on Saturday afternoon due to what the Minister described as a “highly challenging operational context” for aviation in the region.

The Government-charted aircraft – with seats reportedly €800 – is expected to carry about 300 passengers.

It is prioritising vulnerable people such as children and those with medical needs.

About 24,000 Irish citizens are registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs across the region. An estimated 14,000 live in Dubai, around 2,000 in Abu Dhabi and more than 2,000 each in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

In a statement today, Ms McEntee said: “Several hundred calls were made directly to citizens in the last number of days to confirm arrangements for our assisted departure flight from Oman.

“Passengers for this flight travelled to Oman this morning supported by our embassy teams on the ground.

“Due to the highly challenging operational context for aviation in the region, the departure planned for this evening is now due to depart for Dublin on Saturday afternoon.

“The overnight hotel costs for the passengers in Oman will be met by the department.

“I am aware that there are citizens in other countries across the region, including Qatar and Kuwait, who wish to leave.”

She continued: “We are in direct contact with many of these citizens to explain what options may become available.

“I am also aware that some citizens have been stranded in other parts of the world due to flight cancellations in the Gulf.

“We would encourage these citizens to make direct contact with their airlines or travel agents with regard to identifying alternative routes and to make contact with our Consular Crisis Centre where our staff can assist in emergency circumstances.”

Emirates said today it is operating a reduced flight schedule but expected to restore “100 per cent of its network within the coming days.”

The airline said that about 30,000 people had already flown out of Dubai.

The Government said that it expects additional direct commercial options to become available in the coming days.

The consular crisis team has handled more than 2,300 queries since Saturday.