Ireland is set to lodge a protest letter with Israel after Israeli Defence Forces fired shots near Irish UN Peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon yesterday, Thursday, May 29.
"Brigadier General Mulcahy provided me with a detailed briefing on the serious events that took place yesterday involving Irish Defence Force personnel in southern Lebanon," Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Harris said on Friday, according to the PA.
“It’s clear to me that the actions of the IDF were reckless, intimidatory, totally unacceptable and a clear breach of the international rules surrounding peacekeeping.
“Brigadier General Mulcahy has assured me that all of our troops impacted are safe and well. They have been debriefed following the incident and patrols are continuing as normal today.
“I want to pay tribute to our personnel deployed with UNIFIL, who are operating in an increasingly volatile and tense environment.
“My officials in the Department of Defence will today formally lodge a protest letter over what happened yesterday, and this will be communicated directly with Israel.”
Thursday's incident comes after Israeli forces fired shots in the vicinity of a delegation that included Irish diplomats who were visiting the Jenin refugee camp in the Occupied West Bank on May 21.
Ireland contributes 335 troops to the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL), according to figures issued this month.
The Tánaiste's comments come the day after the Irish Defence Forces announced that it had received reports of an incident on Thursday morning involving a joint Irish UNIFIL and Lebanese Armed Forces Patrol near the Blue Line in South Lebanon.
"A number of small arm rounds were fired in the vicinity of the area in which the Patrol was operating," the Irish Defence Forces said on Thursday.
"The patrol withdrew from the area, there was no injuries to the personnel on the patrol and no damage reported to the armoured vehicles they were operating from.
"All Personnel of the Irish Contingent in Lebanon are reported to be safe and well, they continue to monitor the situation in Southern Lebanon and are committed the stability of the region as impartial peacekeepers.
"We wish to remind all actors of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of UN Peacekeepers."
The Defence Forces can confirm that they have received reports of an incident this morning involving a joint Irish UNIFIL & Lebanese Armed Forces Patrol near the Blue Line in South Lebanon. A number of small arm rounds were fired in the vicinity of the area in which the Patrol… pic.twitter.com/Or6ZpwhdrO
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) May 29, 2025
Responding on Thursday, the Tánaiste said that he had been briefed on the "deeply concerning incident in Southern Lebanon, where Irish peacekeepers came under fire near the Blue Line."
He confirmed that all the Irish personnel were safe, adding that the incident "once again highlights the dangers our troops face."
I have been briefed on today’s deeply concerning incident in Southern Lebanon, where Irish peacekeepers came under fire near the Blue Line.
I can confirm that all our personnel are safe.
On International #PKDay, this incident once again highlights the dangers our troops face. pic.twitter.com/RDfNrZxvkI
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 29, 2025
UNIFIL further confirmed Thursday's incident in a statement on Friday, saying: "Irish peacekeepers supporting the Lebanese army in helping civilians rebuild a livestock farm were fired upon by Israeli soldiers near Yaroun.
"Bullets landed within 50 m of the peacekeepers, and all present were forced to leave the area.
"Attacks on peacekeepers are unacceptable and a serious violation of resolution 1701. We remind the IDF their obligations under international law and resolution 1701."