Authorities are monitoring the safety of Ireland’s troops in Lebanon “on an hourly basis” after the Israeli attacks on UN positions last week, the Taoiseach has said. 

Speaking in Wicklow yesterday, Simon Harris said the attacks on three UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) were “utterly unacceptable”. 

He said the safety of Ireland’s troops is of ‘paramount importance’ - but there are currently no plans to pull them out of the region. 

He was speaking after the leaders of France Italy and Spain, who also contribute UN troops to Lebanon, issued a joint statement accusing Israel of breaking international humanitarian law.  

Members of the 124th Infantry Battalion at Camp Shamrock in Debel during a visit by Tanaiste Micheal Martin to Lebanon to meet Irish troops serving with the United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (Unifil). Picture date: Sunday May 19, 2024. Alamy.com

Simon Harris says Israel must stop firing on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon and listen to the voice of the international community. 

“We continue to keep all issues in relation to the UNIFIL mission under review,” he said. 

“The safety of our troops is, of course, of paramount importance and I am really proud of the men and women who are serving – the 379 of them representing Ireland as part of this United Nations peacekeeping mission. 

“The advice at the moment is that it is safe for the mission to continue but of course it is a very dangerous environment and we continue to monitor this and other safety issues on an hourly basis."

Soldiers at Camp Shamrock in Lebanon before the visit of Tánaiste Micheál Martin, 19-05-2024. Image: PA Images / Alamy

It emerged on Wednesday that Israel had opened fire on three UNIFIL outposts in southern Lebanon, injuring two soldiers in the attacks. 

It is understood one of the incidents occurred at an observation tower at UNIFIL’s main base in Naqoura. 

The Taoiseach said he discussed the safety of Ireland's soldiers with both US president Joe Biden and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week – adding that peacekeepers must always be protected. 

Soldiers of the 124th Infantry Battalion at Camp Shamrock in Debel before the visit of Tánaiste Micheal Martin, 19-05-2024. Image: PA Images / Alamy

“I raised the issue of the safety of our peacekeeping troops directly with President Joe Biden when I visited him in the White House this week and I raised it directly with the UN Secretary General as well,” he said. 

“Really here we need everybody to step back from the brink. 

“There are specific international laws and rules in relation to peacekeeping and the idea that Israel would in any way defy them is utterly unacceptable to Ireland in the strongest possible terms.” 

He urged Israel to listen to the voice of the international community and ensure UN peacekeepers are protected. 

The White House has said it is 'deeply concerned' about the incidents.