Defence Forces confirm no Irish soldiers injured in air strike in Lebanon

James Cox

The Defence Forces said no Irish personnel were injured when a shell exploded near the UN's Blue Line in Lebanon.

Israel is denying carrying out the strike along the peacekeeping divide between Lebanon and Israel.

A translator and four peacekeepers were injured, but the Irish Defence Forces say all at Camp Shamrock have been accounted for.

Unifil has again called on all sides to ensure the safety of peacekeepers and civilians.

We can confirm that there were no Irish personnel involved with this patrol. Our troops in Lebanon are all accounted for, safe, and continue to carry out their roles and responsibilities as part of @UNIFIL_ 🇮🇪🇺🇳🇱🇧 https://t.co/W4gpFbrdRN

— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) March 30, 2024

The Defence Forces added that those injured were "triaged, stabilised and treated by DF medical personnel in the Irish Camp", before being evacuated by helicopter to Lebanese capital Beirut.

The casualties were triaged, stabilised and treated by DF medical personnel in the Irish Camp UNP 2-45. The 123 Inf Bn coordinated a helicopter evacuation of 1 casualty to Beirut, and transported the remainder via Armoured Ambulance and APC to Tyre https://t.co/Es7uZye6eB

— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) March 30, 2024

There are two camps where Irish soldiers are based in south Lebanon, the main camp, known as Camp Shamrock or 2-45, and 6-52.

The Blue Line is a key to peace in the region. It is not a border, but a "line of withdrawal". It was set by the United Nations in 2000 for the practical purpose of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the south of Lebanon.