LAST UPDATE | 13 Oct
ISRAELI TANKS “DESTROYED” the entrance to a peacekeepers’ camp in Lebanon and “forcibly entered” the position this morning, according to Unifil, which has accused the Israeli military of “shocking violations”.
It’s understood Ghanaian troops were injured in the incident, the latest in a series of incidents in which peacekeepers have come under attack.
The Irish Defence Forces have confirmed that none of their soldiers were harmed.
Situation Update on Irish Defence Forces serving with overseas missions in Lebanon for family members
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) October 13, 2024
The Defence Forces can confirm that all Irish Peacekeepers are accounted for and well. The situation around Irish positions remains relatively calm. This environment has allowed… pic.twitter.com/FQfLXMmqdV
In a statement released this afternoon, Unifil said the Merkava tanks “requested multiple times” that the base in Ramyah, southern Lebanon, turn out its lights.
They left after 45 minutes but, over an hour later, rounds were fired around 100m from the base. These emitted smoke which caused “skin irritation and gastrointestinal reactions” for 15 peacekeepers, who are now receiving treatment for their injuries.
“For the fourth time in as many days, we remind the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) 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 said in the statement.
“We have requested an explanation from the IDF from these shocking violations.”
In a separate statement, the Irish Defence Forces said that “all Irish peacekeepers are accounted for and well” in south Lebanon.
It said the situation around Irish positions “remains relatively calm” and that this has allowed the successful resupply of food and water to camp UNP 2-45.
“Clashes between both parties to the conflict persist in both the Irish and wider Unifil Area of Operations,” the Defence Forces said.
“Irish peacekeepers continue to monitor and report any violations of UNSCR 1701 by all parties involved, maintaining an independent and impartial stance.”
In a statement released this evening, the IDF said “a large barrage of anti-tank missiles was fired” towards Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
“During the attack, two IDF soldiers were severely injured and multiple other soldiers were lightly and moderately injured. Their families have been notified.
“An initial review showed that an IDF tank that was trying to evacuate injured soldiers while still under fire backed several meters into a Unifil post.
“Once the enemy fire stopped, and following the evacuation of the injured soldiers, the tank left the post.
During the incident, a smoke screen was used to provide cover for the evacuation of the injured soldiers. IDF soldiers maintained coordination with Unifil.
The IDF claimed that, throughout the entirety of the incident, “no danger was posed to Unifil forces”.
Twenty Unifil peacekeepers have been wounded in separate attacks in recent days, but the UN has said there are currently no plans for their troops to leave.
“There was a unanimous decision to stay because it’s important for the UN flag to still fly high in this region, and to be able to report to the Security Council,” Unifil spokesman Andrea Tenenti said on Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier today called on the United Nations to move peacekeepers deployed in southern Lebanon out of “harm’s way”.
Addressing UN chief Antonio Guterres in a video, Netanyahu said: “Mr Secretary General, get the Unifil forces out of harm’s way. It should be done right now, immediately.”
Speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said Israeli forces had asked Unifil several times to leave, saying the peacekeepers’ presence had “the effect of providing Hezbollah terrorists with human shields”.
“Your refusal to evacuate the Unifil soldiers makes them hostages of Hezbollah. This endangers both them and the lives of our soldiers,” the premier said.
“We regret the harm to Unifil soldiers and we are doing our utmost to prevent such harm. But the simplest and most obvious way to ensure this is simply to withdraw them from the danger zone.”
In a statement issued this afternoon, Taoiseach Simon Harris condemned the targeting of peacekeepers and civilians.
Harris said he will raise the issue at the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Brussels on Wednesday and at the European Council on Thursday.
“I will be engaging with other EU member states serving with Unifil in Lebanon to ensure that our peacekeepers are fully protected and that the EU sends a strong signal of support for Unifil and for the UN more generally.”
Israel has ordered the full evacuation of northern Gaza, including Gaza City. An estimated 400,000 people remain in the north after a mass evacuation ordered in the opening weeks of the war.
Israel has also called for more villages in south Lebanon to evacuate.
“In north Gaza, having attacked Jabalia by land and air, killing dozens of civilians, it has besieged the town and ordered remaining civilians to leave,” Harris said.
It is clear they have nowhere safe to go. This deliberate targeting and abuse of civilians must stop.
“Civilian populations are protected under international humanitarian law. Targeting them shows flagrant disregard for international law and all human rights norms and is a war crime.
“Those responsible must be held accountable. That must be the case for Israel, as well as for Hamas and Hezbollah. There should be no impunity.
“It is past time the international community united not just in condemnation, but in action to bring this appalling situation to an end.”
The overnight incident on peacekeepers in Lebanon came following the shooting of a peacekeeper yesterday, who underwent surgery for his injuries and is now in a stable condition.
For the Irish peacekeepers in south Lebanon, their commander in charge has said troops are in good spirits despite “extremely challenging” conditions.
Lieutenant Colonel Tom Fox said Irish troops are “all safe and well” amid growing concerns over mounting tensions in the region.
More than 300 Irish peacekeepers are stationed at Camp Shamrock in south Lebanon and at an Irish outpost close to the Blue Line – the effective border between Israel and Lebanon.
Lt Col Fox told RTÉ’s This Week programme the “targeting and injuring of UN peacekeepers is totally unacceptable”.
“As a commander, I am always aware of the dangers of peacekeeping, but I have ensured that the adequate post-protection measures in order to protect my troops are in place.”
He said these measures are “constantly being reviewed to ensure the safety and welfare of my peacekeepers”.
Fox said now, more than ever, there is “a justification” for Unifil troops to keep carrying out their work.
He said peacekeepers are “the eyes and ears of the world” and are there to report the facts of “what is actually happening in south Lebanon”.
Fox added there are “contingency plans in place” if troops need to evacuate at some point.
On Tuesday, the UN confirmed that Israeli troops had left their position near outpost 6-52 where some Irish troops are based.
Fox said there has been “no IDF presence or activity” near that post for the last four days.
He said troops there are “well” and “morale is high” despite the “extremely challenging” situation.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to resupply the post at this moment in time, but there are plans in place and preparations to conduct route clearance and resupply the post with rations and personnel at the earliest possible opportunity,” Fox added.
Earlier today Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said there needs to be an exit plan for Unifil peacekeepers, as a precaution.
She told RTÉ’s The Week in Politics: “We can clearly see that things are escalating even further.
The violence and escalation in the region is extremely worrying.
“This is something that is kept under consideration consistently, we are getting hourly reports from the UN as to what is happening.”
McEntee added that, following Netanyahu’s statement today, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste “will be engaging with Antonio Guterres to see what happens next”.
With reporting from Eoghan Dalton, Niall O’Connor and © AFP 2024
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