LAST UPDATE | 2 hrs ago
IRISH TROOPS ARE unharmed after Israel’s army opened different positions held by UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
UNIFIL said Israeli tank fire struck its headquarters in Lebanon’s south, wounding two members
Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that he has received a briefing notifying him that “all Irish troops are accounted for” following the incident.
Harris said any firing “in the vicinity of UNIFIL troops or facilities” was “reckless and must stop” immediately.
Reporting by Eoghan Dalton and Niall O’Connor
Meanwhile, a man wounded during a mass stabbing attack yesterday in the Israeli town of Hadera has died of his wounds.
AFP is reporting that Rafael Mordechai Fishof was one of the six people wounded in what Israeli police called a “terrorist attack” in four locations of Hadera, before the assailant was “neutralised”.
“Unfortunately, despite the efforts of the medical team, the injured person was pronounced dead,” said a statement from the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera, where the 35-year-old Fishof had been admitted.
Hamas has said the attack was a “heroic stabbing operation” and called for “more painful strikes against the occupation (Israel)”.
Israeli authorities have not provided information about the suspect but Israeli media identified him as Ahmad Jabareen, 36, an Israeli citizen from the town of Umm al-Fahm.
The Hadera attack came more than a week after seven people were killed in a shooting and stabbing claimed by Hamas in the Israeli commercial hub Tel Aviv.
Tánaiste: ‘There needs to be full accountability’
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has condemned the IDF for “targeting and firing” on UNIFIL positions in Lebanon, saying that “full accountability” will be needed after a tank fired on an observation tower.
“It is reprehensible and unacceptable to injure peacekeepers and to put them in harm’s way,” the Minister for Foreign Affairs also said.
“Israel has an obligation to protect peacekeepers and its actions are in breach of international humanitarian law.
“There needs to be full accountability for these actions.”
Layout of the region
One of the locations reportedly fired at by the IDF was UNIFIL’s main base at Naqoura.
The seaside area of Naqoura is on the western flank of the UNIFIL area of operations in South Lebanon.
This location is where the large UNIFIL headquarters is located which includes offices for command and meeting rooms. Other facilities include a hospital facility and accommodation for a large amount of troops.
There is a town next to the camp and this has apparently been the focus of Israeli activity in recent days.
There is a small team of Irish soldiers based at Naqoura who work in the headquarters staff. They are in management positions and administrative roles.
The other Irish camps are some distance from the Naqoura Headquarters and are about 40 minutes by road inland or roughly about 30 kilometres.
It’s a picturesque area with sandy beaches, which are not used due to the threat of landmines.
UNIFIL also warned the Israeli army that “any deliberate attack” on its peacekeepers is a “grave violation”.
“We remind the IDF 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,” the organisation said.
“UNIFIL peacekeepers are present in south Lebanon to support a return to stability under Security Council mandate. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701.
“We are following up with the IDF on these matters.”
UNIFIL itself has alleged that two of its peacekeepers were injured after “an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower” at its headquarters in Naqoura, hitting it and causing the troops to fall from the tower.
“The injuries are fortunately, this time, not serious, but they remain in hospital,” UNIFIL said in the statement.
It also accused the Israeli army of firing on other UN positions, including in Labbouneh, where they are accused of “hitting the entrance to the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and damaging vehicles and a communications system”.
In another incident yesterday, IDF soldiers are said to have “deliberately fired at and disabled” the UN position’s perimeter-monitoring cameras.
This morning, two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall. The injuries are fortunately, this time, not serious, but they remain in hospital.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) October 10, 2024
The Irish Defence Forces has said Irish positions have “not been subject to incoming fire” today.
It made a brief statement on social media.
Situation Update on Irish Defence Forces serving with overseas missions in Lebanon for family members
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) October 10, 2024
The Defence Forces can confirm all IRISH pers are safe and accounted for. All necessary force protection measures are being observed.
The Defence Forces can also confirm that…
On X, the Taoiseach recounted the news he received about Irish troops in the aftermath of today’s incident.
I have been briefed on the situation in Southern Lebanon. All Irish troops are accounted for and continue to do their duties with distinction. Any firing in the vicinity of UNIFIL troops or facilities is reckless and must stop.
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) October 10, 2024
In the past hour, the Tánaiste has told the Dáil that all Irish troops are “accounted for and well” following the incident.
Micheál Martin said it “illustrates the high-risk environment” peacekeepers are operating within in Lebanon.
“Israel is not listening to its allies even in terms of progressing its agenda,” Martin said, adding that the state seemed intent on “all out war” in the Middle East.
Martin said he hoped to receive a “comprehensive report” on what happened in relation to the UNIFIL base soon.
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