Next month, Breena, Shaun, and Declan Diver — siblings hailing from Moville in County Donegal — will themselves be deployed in a conflict zone. These three Privates serve in the 125th Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces, which is geared up for its rotation to the southern region of Lebanon to take over from the stationed Irish troops as part of the Unifil peacekeeping mission.
In the forthcoming deployment, a force of over 380 soldiers will set off. This contingent will be joined by 24 members of the current batch who have chosen to extend their stay. This means they’ll have completed an entire year in Lebanon by the time their duty ends.
Asked about their collective choice to volunteer for the mission, the eldest and most seasoned among the Diver siblings, Shaun (26), humorously remarks, “I think it was a case of monkey see, monkey do”.
Questioned regarding their parents’ anxiety, Shaun says, “My father is the one who is easily stressed. He tends to express his feelings more. My mother is generally more indifferent, tends to keep to herself. However, I believe, she’s starting to display some signs of strain this time”.
Regarding their decision to head into the war zone, Declan, on his second tour, says, “Our friends think we’re out of our minds for going there. But we’re fully aware of what we are signing up for. We’ve undergone the requisite training”.
Shaun and Derek operate armoured personnel carriers, whereas Breena serves in the quick reaction force (QRF). This means any of them might potentially rush into harmful situations in order to rescue their comrades should any trouble arise.
Trouble has been omnipresent in Southern Lebanon post the Israeli invasion on October 1st, with hundreds of civilian casualties and about 300 Irish soldiers caught amidst the intense combat.
There have been around twelve attacks by the Israeli forces on United Nations outposts since the invasion, leading to approximately 17 peacekeepers suffering injuries. Moreover, the Israeli tanks had established firing positions right next to the small Irish compound on the border and launched attacks on Hizbullah forces at the onset of the invasion.
At a certain point, a tank from Israel posed a direct threat to the camp with its barrel aimed straight into their vicinity. According to a confidential United Nations report, a snapshot from 7th October reveals an immense column of smoke billowing closely next to the camp, the aftermath of a significant detonation.
Lieutenant Colonel Shane Rockett, who is aptly named, is the commanding officer of the soldiers who will be transitioning to this outpost in the coming month. Both he and the soldiers understand the inherent risks this setup presents, as do their families. Lieutenant Colonel Rockett explained that his wife, who is a former military officer, did express some anxieties about his overseas dispatch, much like the families of his troops. “The biggest challenge for me as the commander is to reassure the families that we are committed to maintain safety for our troops even under hazardous conditions,” he said.
The troops, he says, have been meticulously analysing recent encounters with conflicting factions in the operation territory and have assimilated necessary lessons. The authorisation given by the Unifil and Defence Forces rules of engagement allows them to retaliate in self-defence to safeguard their posts, compatriots and themselves. Every soldier is entrusted with a concise document that specifies the degree and instance of force that can be exercised, which is particularly beneficial in volatile situations where a misstep could prompt a global dispute.
Lieutenant Colonel Rockett said, “Soldiers are highly trained in the art of force application. If by chance any Irish soldier faces a serious menace, they are equipped to react.”
He reassures that the 125th is furnished with the world’s premier equipment, including top-notch body armour, armoured vehicles, and so on. “From a force protection viewpoint, we are on par with other military powers in regard to our gear. This gives us an extra layer of confidence on deployment.”
The mission of the 125th troops deviates from earlier deployments. The invasion has led to drastic reductions in border patrols, meaning the troops are mostly restricted to their base. They’ll likely spend extensive periods in “groundhog”, a jargon for taking shelter in fortified bunkers while Israel and Hizbullah trade artillery fire overhead.
Rockett emphasises, “It’s impossible to get ready for such a situation,” referring to the experience of having to stay in a hideout for anywhere from 48 hours to an entire week. He implies that one can’t fully grasp what it feels like until they’ve gone through it.
Rockett recalls his inaugural trip abroad that took place during Operation Grapes of Wrath, the prior Israeli incursion into Lebanon in 1996. Irish soldiers found themselves obliged to remain in a bunker, termed ‘groundhog’, for four continual days.
During such challenging times, not only did it challenge his resilience, but it also drew out a sense of humour and revealed people’s characters. He found that such intense situations fostered deep connections among soldiers in unusual ways.
He notes, however, that not all have the privilege of seeking shelter during a groundhog. With enemy barrages incoming, a handful of soldiers are required to stay in the watchtower to monitor and relay pertinent information.
Uncertainty hangs in the balance as the 125th Infantry Battalion, set to be deployed next month, discusses whether the deployment will proceed as planned. Unifil’s commanding officer had previously halted all soldier rotations for the duration of October. In the meantime, the Defence Forces are keeping a close eye on whether these instructions will carry over into November.
Nonetheless, Rockett remains hopeful that the battalion will be able to deploy as per the original plan. If circumstances dictate otherwise, they will merely bide their time in Ireland, continuing their training in preparation for deployment. Rockett concludes with this reassuring note.