Southern Lebanon’s Irish forces are no strangers to aggression from both Hizbullah and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The primary Irish outpost, Camp Shamrock, has frequently felt the vibrations of neighbouring detonations in recent months. They’ve repeatedly witnessed Hizbullah personnel launching rockets near their camp, compelling them to frequently seek refuge in shelters before the anticipated Israeli retaliatory strike occurs.
There was a fatal assault on Pte Sean Rooney in 2022, likely undertaken by Hizbullah members, and an Israeli drone tragically damaged an Irish vehicle during a regular patrol last month.
Following Monday’s tumultuous Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, which resulted in almost 300 fatalities, there’s an escalating apprehension about a potential comprehensive IDF invasion into this war-ravaged country, which would bring significantly new risks and hurdles for the 340 Irish soldiers stationed there.
Experts theorise that an Israeli invasion, if it happens at all, would generally focus on the southern region of Lebanon. Given that Camp Shamrock is located less than a 30-minute drive from the southern border, the Irish forces would be situated right in the middle of the unfolding conflict. This would put them in substantial peril from artillery and rocket attacks from either faction. Hizbullah is notorious for initiating missile strikes close to Unifil locations, hoping to discourage Israeli retaliation involving artillery or drones.
Unifil’s highest priority is to deter any conflict from escalating. However, once hostilities inevitably ignite, there’s not much they can do. Their mission also consists of protecting civilians in the event of a disproportionate IDF military onslaught, but Unifil soldiers would most likely have to halt all operations and lay low.
History seems to repeat itself, as seen during prior Israeli encroachments in 1982, 1986, and the IDF’s so-called Grapes of Wrath campaign in 1996. During those invasions, the Irish forces were somewhat helpless, left with no other option but to watch and record the passing Israeli tanks.
It remains a possibility that the United Nations might either amend Unifil’s powers or choose to completely pull out UN forces. A crucial factor in this decision will be the stance of countries that supply soldiers. In the past, there has been some hesitation from contributors of Unifil to risk their soldiers during conflicts. However, Ireland has not been among those nations. Micheál Martin, the deputy prime minister of Ireland, announced on Monday that currently, there is no intention to bring back the Irish forces, but circumstances might change if other nations opt for retreat out of necessity.
A particularly violent attack on Monday marked Lebanon’s most lethal day since the cessation of its civil war in 1990. In retaliation, Hizbullah has launched a volley of rocket assaults into northern Israel. What happens in the future will be closely monitored, both within Ireland and globally. During a statement at the UN in New York on Monday, Mr Martin urged the conflicting parties to abandon hostilities, decrease tension, and resolve the conflict.