Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon ‘safe and accounted for’ – McEntee
By Grainne Ni Aodha and Rebecca Black, Press Association
All Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon are safe and accounted for, the Minister for Defence has said.
Three Indonesian peacekeepers have been killed in the south of the country in recent days.
It came amid rising tensions in the region after Israel and the US began bombing Iran more than four weeks ago, which has threatened global supplies of oil and disrupted air travel.
The Irish Defence Forces can confirm that all Irish personnel are well and accounted for. We wish to extend our sympathies to the families of the peacekeepers who lost their lives in the service of peace. Our thoughts are also with those injured in the attack.
Óglaigh na… pic.twitter.com/io0mcF2AEj— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) March 30, 2026
Israel has launched a ground invasion of Lebanon while targeting the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.
On Sunday, the Indonesian peacekeepers were attacked when a projectile exploded near a village in south Lebanon.
Helen McEntee strongly condemned attacks on Indonesian personnel with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) in a statement on Monday evening.
“These incidents represent a deeply concerning further escalation and have resulted in the deaths of three peacekeepers and serious injuries to others,” she said.
“My thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues, and I wish those injured a full and speedy recovery.
“Those serving under the UN flag do so in pursuit of peace and stability.
“These incidents are an attack on the very principles of peace, cooperation and international solidarity.
— Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) March 30, 2026
“I am in daily contact with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, and all Irish personnel serving with Unifil are safe and fully accounted for.”
Earlier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemned the escalation of violence.
“The role of the peacekeeper must be respected and honoured at all times.
“Both Israel and Hezbollah must do everything in their power to keep peacekeepers from harm.
“I have been briefed by our Defence Forces and all Irish personnel serving in Lebanon continue to be well and accounted for.”
There are more than 360 Irish peacekeepers on a six-month deployment to a Unifil base in southern Lebanon.
The United States and Israel wanted to have UN troops removed from the area in 2026 but an extension to 2027 was agreed after negotiations.
Ireland will have taken part in peacekeeping in Lebanon for almost 50 years by the end of 2027.
