LAST UPDATE | 28 Nov 2024

TAOISEACH SIMON HARRIS today had a phone call with the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, after a ceasefire deal was reached between Israel and Hezbollah.

Harris told Mikati that Ireland stood ready to help in any way it could, including through its continuing commitment to UNIFIL.

“It is more important than ever now that UNIFIL be allowed to fulfil its mission, monitoring the cessation of hostilities and confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon,” a statement from the Taoiseach’s spokesperson said.

“UNIFIL will also have an important role to play in assisting the government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area.”

Under the terms of the deal that brought the war to a halt, the Lebanese military started reinforcing its presence in the country’s south, where Hezbollah has long held sway.

The truce deal requires Hezbollah to pull back north of the Litani River, some 30 kilometres from the border with Israel, and dismantle its military infrastructure in south Lebanon.

Harris thanked the Prime Minister for helping to facilitate the recent rotation of Irish soldiers serving on the mission. 

He said that Ireland will continue to provide humanitarian assistance and will work to ensure that the international community surges aid into Lebanon so that it can support those whose homes have been destroyed as well as begin the vital task of reconstruction.

Prime Minister Mikati thanked the Taoiseach for his call, for Ireland’s long-standing friendship and support for his country, and for its contribution to UNIFIL, the statement said.  

Israel launched a bombing campaign targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon on 23 September and later sent in ground troops, after more than a year of cross-border exchanges of fire begun by Hezbollah over the Gaza war.

It killed thousands of people in Lebanon and triggered mass displacement on both sides of the border

Hezbollah has emerged from the war significantly weakened and still mourning the killing in an Israeli air raid of its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah.

However, in a statement yesterday, Hezbollah said it had achieved “victory” over Israel and that its fighters were at the ready, in its first statement since the truce took effect.

Lebanon Prime Minister Najib Mikati visited Dublin last month on 25 October and Harris said he is looking forward to speaking with him again.

“It is an opportunity to welcome the entry into force of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah and to call on all sides to implement it fully,” said Harris.

“We will also reflect on how this opportunity should be used by all parties to secure a permanent peace.”

Harris added that he will offer his sympathies to Mikati and “the people of Lebanon on the loss of civilian lives”. 

“I will also assure him of Ireland’s solidarity and steadfast support as Lebanon looks to recovery and reconstruction,” Harris added.

“It is important now that those displaced are allowed to return safely to their homes and that much needed humanitarian aid and assistance begins to flow unhindered.”

Meanwhile, Harris said Ireland “stands ready to help the Lebanese government in any way we can, working with the EU and at the UN, to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701″. 

UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, stipulates that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers should be deployed in south Lebanon.

Harris further remarked that he will “assure Prime Minister Mikati of Ireland’s continued commitment to UNIFIL and the vital work our peacekeepers are doing to secure the peace”.

The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) yesterday welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and said that it has begun adjusting operations to the “new situation”.

“We will continue performing our mandated tasks, and we have already begun adjusting our operations to the new situation,” UNIFIL said in a statement, adding that peacekeepers “stand ready to support Lebanon and Israel in this new phase”.

“We will cooperate with all relevant partners to make the cessation of hostilities work,” it said.

In Lebanon, more than 900,000 people fled their homes in recent weeks, according to the UN, as Israel pounded the country.