The lead foreign policy figure in the European Union, Josep Borrell, has indicated that the United Nations’ Unifil peacekeeping force in Lebanon might need to be fortified. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hizbullah, which has escalated beyond the borders of Gaza, has seen peacekeepers injured and endure attacks in their posts between the conflicting entities. The Israel Defense Forces were accused by Unifil of a blatant and presumably preconceived attack on a lookout tower. In addition, smoke rounds fired nearby resulted in medical treatment for over a dozen soldiers.
Currently, in Lebanon, nearly 400 troops from Ireland are stationed. Since the initiation of the mission in 1978, Ireland has contributed a total of 30,000 personnel, yet no injuries have been reported amongst Irish soldiers through the recent skirmishes.
During a G7 defence ministers meeting in Naples, Borrell emphasised the necessity of respecting UN forces globally and suggested that the Unifil mission might need to be reassessed. His primary concern, however, remains to establish a ceasefire.
The European Union refrained from naming the Israel Defense Forces in their condemnation of the peacekeepers’ attacks. Mahmoud Abbas feels the assassination of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader by Israeli forces presents a chance for the reduction in tensions. He suggested that this opportunity should be utilised to initiate a ceasefire, release remaining Israeli hostages, and work towards a political solution.
The 124th Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces, consisting of 379 troops, patrols a significant portion of Southeast Lebanon, alongside personnel from Poland and Malta. Despite its jurisdiction being technically under the Lebanese army, the area is largely controlled by Hizbullah.
The heightened hostilities between Hizbullah, an Iran-affiliated Shia militant group, and Israel stem from attacks occurring on the 7th of October. These hostilities have rekindled intermittently for a number of decades. Any decision regarding the mission will be determined by the United Nations Security Council.
In recent times, Israel has extended its air raids beyond South Lebanon, reaching Beirut, the capital. Meanwhile, Hizbullah has broadened their domain of rocket and drone strikes to include Haifa, Israel’s third most populated city, and Caesarea. It has been reported that a strike on Saturday specifically aimed for the residence of the Israeli PM, Binyamin Netanyahu. Further reporting provided by Reuters. (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024.