Military insiders indicate a notable level of ambiguity among Irish soldiers serving in Lebanon. Their uncertainty concerns their duty in safeguarding civilians amidst a large-scale Israeli incursion.
Israeli Defense Forces, or IDF, have been consistent in their drive into southern Lebanon, targeting Hizbullah forces located there. An ambush near the Maroun El Ras village, which is just 2km away from the Irish military base 652, ensnared Israeli special forces. Early accounts reported significant loss and injury among the Israeli forces, as supported by video evidence showing helicopter evacuation of wounded personnel. IDF confirmed one officer’s demise amid these disturbances.
As the conflict escalates and IDF pushes deeper into areas where Irish forces are operating, questions arise about the Defence Forces’ ability to maintain civilian safety.
Following amendments to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) mandate in 2006, peacekeeping forces have the full responsibility to safeguard civilians at immediate risk of physical harm. This stipulation came following critiques of UN forces for their perceived reactivity during the 2006 Israeli onslaught on Lebanon and ethnic violence in Rwanda and the Balkans during the 1990s.
However, the specific actions required from forces to ensure civilian protection remain undefined, leaving room for interpretation by ground-level officers.
Israel, in an emergency-focused action, has been sending warning texts to South Lebanon’s residents, urging them to flee. This move potentially presents scenarios of civilians seeking sanctuary with Irish forces and other contributing forces of Unifil. Despite a mass exodus, large numbers of the population continue to dwell within their houses.
Potential options include allowing the civilian population entry into Unifil’s bases, such as the Irish-led Camp Shamrock on the Israel- Lebanon border, or setting up secure “sanctuaries” guarded by armed Unifil forces within neighbouring communities.
Military insiders suggest that there are hazards attached to both potential solutions. The induction of civilians into the base could significantly interfere with the operational efficiency of the Unifil forces. It could also put a strain on the already limited resources and infrastructure.
Moreover, such a move could expose Unifil troops to allegations from Israel of giving shelter to Hizbullah militants. In a doomsday situation, this could even make UN facilities a potential target for the IDF. There are backup plans to provide civilians with shelter in external buildings, like community centres or schools, monitored by Unifil forces.
The IDF, among other conflict parties, would be informed about these base locations and they would be monitored by Unifil and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). But planning for such contenders has often been avoided by the LAF.
This also prompts the likelihood of Irish troopers getting actively engaged in combat if armed parties decide to invade these establishments. A contact stated, “The directive about how to handle civilians is rather ambiguous and hence there is a discernible confusion.” This is rather novel territory for Unifil and could be a moment of significant trial for the mission and the UN.
The final verdict on the safety of civilians resides with Unifil Force Commander, Lieut Gen Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, but the volatile nature of conflict may require individual officers to make quick on-the-spot decisions.
In the meantime, the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (Raco) has requested an increment in allowances for Defence Forces personnel serving overseas due to the escalating threats faced by missions like Unifil.
The association’s yearly delegate conference was informed that foreign missions are getting progressively complicated and is a major cause of stress for the families of soldiers back in their homeland.
Martin Ryan, the president of Raco, mentioned that the standard stipend for a six-month foreign deployment was once sufficient for a house deposit. “Now you barely have enough to renovate a kitchen. The benefit is no longer proportional to the effort.” This has resulted in fewer volunteers, especially among senior ranks, the conference reported.