Irish peacekeepers treat casualties of ‘Israeli drone’ blast
Explosion in Lebanon near UN military patrol
IRISH peacekeepers have been involved in treating those injured in an explosion near a UN military patrol in Lebanon.
Three UN military observers and a Lebanese interpreter were injured in the blast near Rmeish on the southern Lebanon border on Saturday.
The observers work for the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation, which supports the UN’S peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon (Unifil).
Local media blamed the explosion on an Israeli drone – a claim disputed by Israel. There has been an escalation of clashes between Israeli Defence Forces and Hezbollah militants in recent weeks.
The Irish military has long been involved in the Unifil operation in Lebanon. In 2022, Irish peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney was killed while serving in Lebanon when his convoy was attacked.
The Defence Forces confirmed no Irish personnel were injured in Saturday morning’s incident. A statement said: “Our thoughts are with the injured parties, their comrades and their families.”
It added the casualties were stabilised and treated by Defence Forces medical personnel in the Irish Camp UNP 2-45. Irish personnel then coordinated the evacuation of one patient by helicopter to Beirut.
The remaining three patients were transported to hospital by the 123rd battalion using the Irish armoured ambulance and armoured personnel carriers.
Unifil spokesman Andrea Tenenti said the origin of the explosion was under investigation. He added: “Safety and security of UN personnel must be guaranteed.
“All actors have a responsibility under international humanitarian law to ensure protection to non-combatants, including peacekeepers, journalists, medical personnel, and civilians.
“We repeat our call for all actors to cease the current heavy exchanges of fire before more people are unnecessarily hurt.”
The blast came as an Israeli airstrike hit a tent camp at a hospital in central Gaza yesterday, where thousands have been sheltering for months, killing two Palestinians and injuring a further 15.
The IDF said its missile hit a command centre of the militant group Islamic Jihad, and that the Al-aqsa Martyrs Hospital’s functioning was not affected.
After recent airstrikes on the southern city of Rafah too, Israel/hamas ceasefire talks in Egypt’s capital Cairo yesterday were not expected to yield results.
Benjamin Netanyahu was last night preparing for hernia surgery, with deputy Yariv Levin expected to cover for him.