Challenges for Irish Troops in Lebanon: One Year into Conflict

By Daniel Rankin

Exactly one year on from the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza last year, Irish troops are experiencing an Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon – following a significant escalation of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict – particularly in the southern region of the country where their UN peacekeeping mission is situated.

The near 400 Irish peacekeepers under United Nations UNIFIL (Interim Force in Lebanon) represents the largest Irish peacekeeping contingent overseas, with 47 Irish troops dead since 1978 – the majority of overseas deaths since the 1960s, with the most recent being Pte. Seán Rooney, who died in December 2022 [1].

The war is of Israel and Hezbollah, as opposed to the Lebanese government (in which Hezbollah’s political wing has 15 out of 128 seats), which the UNIFIL mission itself has backed since 1978 during civil war between the government, and Christian and Muslim groups. From the waves of pager explosions two weeks ago, to the acceleration of airstrikes, Israel have again been accused of war crimes, with nearly a thousand dead – mostly civilians [2].

Hezbollah’s leader Nasrallah (a founder and leader since 1992) was killed by Israeli air strikes outside Beirut last week, signifying an Israeli victory as had been achieved with Hamas leader Haniyeh in Iran in July. The war has since involved Iran, who launched 200 ballistic missiles at Israel last Tuesday night [3].

Irish-Israeli relations are increasingly tenuous, with the Taoiseach visiting PLO and Palestine Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas at the New York UN General Assembly on Tuesday 24^th. Speaking on relations with Palestine, Harris said “There is an absolute right to a Palestinian state, a state that can live in peace and security alongside the State of Israel” [4], with Abbas expressing gratitude for Irish recognition of the Palestinian state earlier this year – which was accompanied by Norway and Spain, and since then Slovenia and Armenia have recognised the state.

Unsurprisingly, the Israeli government have consistently opposed such diplomacy. Indeed, Michael D. Higgins’ letter of congratulations to newly elected Iranian President Pezeshkian (following the deceased Raisi) drew controversy, with Higgins describing the letter – and the discourse surrounding it – of having circulated from the Israeli embassy. In response to Israeli criticism, Harris stated that they cannot be “continuing to allow [a] horrific humanitarian situation continue” [5] in Gaza, a war which approaches its first anniversary – with more than 40,000 dead.

Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieut Gen Seán Clancy has said that the safety of Irish troops rather than of civilians in the area is “priority number one” [6]. There were heavy Israeli casualties just 2km from the border outpost that the peacekeepers occupy. Israel appears to be building up for a full-scale invasion, as civilians were forced to evacuate north. Irish troops appear to be adequately equipped, with at least 30 days of necessities. Tánaiste Martin (also Foreign, and Defence minister) said of the evacuation of Irish civilians in the area, ‘We are scenario planning and we will be taking a number of measures to help Irish citizens or those who want to leave, to leave. We will have further details on that later’ [6].

Sources:

[1] Michael, N, ‘The Irish Defence Forces personnel who have died overseas.’ Irish Examiner, Dec 15^th 2022, https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41029148.html

[2] Grantham-Philips, W; Biesacker, M; El Deeb, S; Parvini, S; ‘What to know about the two waves of deadly explosions that hit Lebanon and Syria’. Associated Press, Sept 19^th 2024, https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-pager-explosion-e9493409a0648b846fdcadffdb02d71e

[3] Gritten, D; Murphy, M; Jackson, P; ‘What we know about Iran’s missile attack on Israel’. BBC News, Oct 3^rd 2024, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70w1j0l488o

[4] Whelan, S, ‘Taoiseach pledges to advocate for Palestinian recognition’. RTE News, Sept 25^th 2024, https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2024/0925/1471788-mahmoud-abbas-simon-harris/

[5] Cunningham, P, ‘Ireland-Israel ties now in deep freeze amid Higgins letter row’. RTE News, Sept 27^th 2024, https://www.rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2024/0924/1471706-higgins-letter-israel/

[6] Gallagher, C, ‘Safety of Irish troops in Lebanon ‘priority number one’, says Defence Forces chief’. Irish Times, Oct 3^rd 2024, https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024/10/03/safety-of-irish-troops-in-lebanon-priority-number-one-says-defence-forces-chief/