Irish peacekeeping troops in Lebanon remain safe and well as tensions in the region continue to escalate, the Defence Forces have said

Israel yesterday vowed to retaliate after Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Window-shaking explosions were heard near the two cities; however, Israel has said it is so far unaware of any injuries from the attack.

Israelis were warned to seek safety ahead of the attack with orders to take cover in bomb shelters sent to mobile phones and broadcast on national television.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran had a “made a major mistake” and insisted the country would now “pay for it”.

An anti-Israel billboard in Iran carrying pictures of Iranian missiles and a sentence reading in Persian, 'Israel is weaker than spider home', 25-04-2024. Image: ZUMA/Alamy

For its part Iran warned that it will respond to any retaliation, noting that the attack was “only a glimpse of our capabilities”.

In a social media post, Iran’s UN Mission said that if Israel “should dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue”.

The attack came after Israel launched a ground offensive into south Lebanon as part of what it claimed were ‘limited, localised and targeted’ raids against Hezbollah.

More than 1,000 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon in the past two weeks – with more than one million people displaced within the country.

Around 350 Irish soldiers are currently maintaining 'force protection measures' in Lebanon as part of their UN peacekeeping mission.

Safe and well

The Irish Defence Forces this morning confirmed that they remain safe and well amid the escalating tensions in the region.

“We are in constant contact with our personnel deployed overseas and we are actively monitoring the situation on the ground,” Defence Forces Captain Kevin Kenny told Newstalk.

“While the current circumstances are extremely challenging, our personnel remain committed to the peacekeeping mission they are deployed on and they are well trained to handle any increase in volatility.”

Well trained

Captain Kenny said the Irish soldiers are well trained for the challenge.

“Our presence in the region is absolutely essential,” he said,

“We act as the eyes and ears for the global community.

“Our troops provide stability in the region. They create the space for diplomacy and the provision of humanitarian aid for those who need it.

“A vital part of overseas service is the training that the Defence Forces gives to overseas personnel in the mission area.”

War

The escalation in recent days has led to concerns that the Middle East may be on the verge of a ballistic missile war.

The US - which warned about Iran's imminent attack earlier on Monday – has said it helped Israel to defend itself from yesterday’s missile attack.

US Navy destroyers fired around a dozen interceptors against Iranian missiles, the Pentagon said.

Reporting from Michael Staines and IRN