All Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon are safe and accounted for, Ireland’s Minister for Defence Helen McEntee has confirmed. The reassurance comes after three Indonesian peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon in recent days, amid rising regional tensions.
The violence follows Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon and ongoing airstrikes targeting the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. The United States and Israel have also intensified bombing campaigns against Iran, disrupting global oil supplies and air travel.
On Sunday, a projectile exploded near a village in south Lebanon, killing three Indonesian personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil). Minister McEntee strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “deeply concerning further escalation” and expressing solidarity with the victims’ families.
“Those serving under the UN flag do so in pursuit of peace and stability,” McEntee said. “These incidents are an attack on the very principles of peace, cooperation and international solidarity.” She added that she is in daily contact with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, and all Irish personnel remain safe.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin also condemned the escalation, urging both Israel and Hezbollah to protect peacekeepers. “The role of the peacekeeper must be respected and honoured at all times,” he said, noting that all Irish troops in Lebanon are well and accounted for.
Ireland currently has over 360 peacekeepers on a six-month deployment to a Unifil base in southern Lebanon. The UN mission, which Ireland has participated in for nearly 50 years, was recently extended to 2027 despite US and Israeli calls for its withdrawal.
