There is a risk that Irish peacekeepers will die in Israel’s airstrikes on Lebanon, a security expert has warned.
Over 550 people, including 50 children, have been killed in the Israeli airstrikes since Monday, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
Meanwhile, the BBC reports that Hezbollah has retaliated by launching hundreds of rockets into northern Israel, with two people treated for shrapnel wounds.
Last week, thousands of pagers were blown up across Lebanon, killing dozens of people and injuring thousands more.
Both Hezbollah and the Lebanese Government have blamed Israel for the attack.
On Lunchtime Live, former Defence Forces member Senator Tom Clonan said Irish troops are operating in a “very tough environment” in Lebanon.
“In 1996, as peacekeepers in Lebanon, we experienced a very similar bombardment from the Israelis,” he said.
“They engaged in a punitive operation against the people of south Lebanon.
“In March and April of 1996, we experienced tens of thousands of air strikes, missile attacks, artillery attacks right into the area of Irish operation and hundreds of innocent Lebanese men, women and children were slaughtered.
“So, you literally become - and this is what’s happening with our troops now - human shields between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defence Forces.”
WATCH: IDF Spox. RAdm. Daniel Hagari explains how Hezbollah exploits civilian infrastructure as weapons storage sites and uses the Lebanese people as human shields: pic.twitter.com/nuNG8OEo8G
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 23, 2024
The Israeli Government has long maintained its actions are motivated by self-defence but Senator Clonan said the country “no longer adheres to the laws around armed conflict” - citing the high death toll in Gaza.
US President Joe Biden has said he is “working to de-escalate” the situation but there are fears the violence could lead to a wider conflict in the region.
“My fear for Irish troops is that if this escalates further into a ground invasion, there is the risk of casualties,” Senator Clonan said.
“In previous interventions by Israel, they have murdered Irish UN peacekeepers, they’ve murdered UN observers.”
Senator Clonan described peacekeeping as a “dangerous occupation” and noted that it is especially risky if troops find themselves caught between two warring groups.
“For example, during active shelling and airstrikes, some of our troops will go into underground bunkers or shelters - but not everybody can,” Senator Clonan said.
“We do have troops who are engaged in perimeter security, observation duties and very often - as happened to me on several occasions - you’ll be out on patrol in a village when it gets hit.
“The Israelis or Hezbollah are not going to let you know when they open fire.”
The United Nations and the Irish flags fly at the UNIFIL headquarters in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura. Picture by: AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari.The last Irish peacekeeper to die in Lebanon was Private Seán Rooney, who was killed in December 2022 when a convoy of two Armoured Utility Vehicles came under fire while travelling to Beirut.
Last year, five people were charged in relation to his death.
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Main image: Irish UN peacekeepers. Picture by: AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari.
