Irish troops serving in Lebanon are “accounted for and well”, despite the rising tensions in the country, the Defence Forces has said.
Israel’s military has started ground operations in southwest Lebanon, expanding its incursions to a new zone a year after exchanges of fire began with the militant group Hezbollah.
In a statement, the Irish Defence Forces said the 124 Infantry Battalion “remains vigilant”, with “no significant changes” reported in the operational environment at this time.
“Defence Forces Headquarters remain in regular contact with our leadership and Unifil HQ on the ground, getting updates on the ongoing situation in our three mission areas [Undof, Untso and Unifil],” the spokesperson said.
“They continue to monitor and report violations of UNSCR 1701 by all parties, independently and impartially,”
Iran, meanwhile, has warned Israel against any attacks, saying it will be met with retaliation.
On Monday, the Irish Examiner reported the mother of a two-year-old Irish citizen who is being held captive by his father in war-torn Lebanon has pleaded with the Taoiseach to help return her child saying: “We can’t leave him there my child is not safe, time is running out”.
Catherine Flanagan, aged 39, from Belfast, has not seen her son David Nahle since January this year. He was taken from her by his father in August 2022 during a family holiday when he was 10 months old.
David, who will be turning three soon, has both Irish and British citizenship. His mother said she organised four evacuation flights for him last week, but his father refused to allow the child to travel.
