Taoiseach Simon Harris has voiced his demand for Israel to cease its attacks on United Nations peacekeeping forces. This follows incidents where Israeli forces targeted the UN headquarters in southern Lebanon, causing injuries to two peacekeepers within two days.
The conflict between the Israeli forces and Hizbullah, a Lebanese militant group, sparked into action a year ago when Hizbullah initiated rocket attacks on northern Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian militant organisation, Hamas. The event marked the start of the Gaza war. The hostilities escalated in the past few weeks with southern Lebanon, southern neighbourhoods of Beirut and Bekaa Valley falling prey to Israeli bombings. This offensive killed several high-ranking members of Hizbullah and saw Israeli ground troops advancing beyond the borders. Hizbullah retaliated by firing rockets further into Israel.
Harris has expressed that Israel must listen to the international community’s concerns and halt attacks on UN peacekeepers. Harris further noted that while sanctions against Israel aren’t immediately forthcoming, the scenario could shift rapidly with the war’s progression.
Harris is set to urge for a prompt ceasefire in the concerned region at the European Council. During his meeting with the US President, Joe Biden, at the Oval Office earlier this week, they mutually agreed upon ensuring the safety of the Blue Helmet forces.
Harris reiterated: “Israel must take heed of the international community’s concerns and put a halt to their attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon serving with Unifil.”
The Taoiseach plans to deliver an immediate ceasefire proposal during the upcoming European Council, centred around UN Resolution 1701 with a primary goal of restoring people to their homes.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin urged the international community to bring pressure on Israel to stop their “intimidating and reckless” conduct. He pointed out an alarming escalation in IDF’s aggression towards UN forces.
The Chief of Staff for the Irish Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, has expressed his belief that Israel must take responsibility for what he referred to as “purposeful” and “explicit attacks” on UN stations. He denoted such assaults as an “unmistakable and outrageous” infraction. Clancy further stated that a tank shell targeting an observation tower, a target of insignificant size, must be intentional and such attack is a direct one.
Adding to it, he remarked, “Viewed from a military standpoint, this behaviour doesn’t seem accidental, but rather purposeful.”
Following sirens that were heard in central Israel late last Friday, the Israeli military reported that they had noticed two unmanned aircraft from Lebanon. They assured that there were no reported losses of life.
The army was successful in intercepting one of the two UAVs, both of which had been monitored from the point they traversed the Lebanese border, according to a statement by them.
Regardless, the Israeli military and police issued separate declarations stating that one structure in Herzliya had suffered slight damage.
Hizbullah had yet to offer an immediate response regarding the drone attack at the time of reporting.