The Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Simon Harris has described Israel’s attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon as a breach of international law.
Speaking to BBC News in Washington DC, Harris said it was an “extraordinarily concerning development”.
The IDF has acknowledged that its troops “opened fire in the area” of the base in Naqoura on Thursday after instructing UN troops to “remain in protected spaces”.
Ireland has 379 troops in Lebanon as part of the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission. None were hurt in recent attacks, but two Indonesian soldiers were injured on Thursday.
‘Despicable attacks’
The taoiseach described [attacks on three United Nations Interim Force positions in Lebanon. (Lebanon: Irish troops 'safe and well' after reported strike - BBC News)(UNIFIL) as “really dangerous, despicable attacks on peacekeepers”.
He added that the IDF had positioned themselves at a UNIFIL outpost which was being manned by about 30 Irish peacekeepers, but had since moved following UN and US intervention.
The taoiseach said that he was protesting “at the highest levels” in relation to the attack, and said that the United Nations, and all of the countries making up the peacekeeping mission should “speak with one voice” about what he called Israel’s breach of international law.
However, he said he was concerned that “Israel doesn’t listen”.
Two other peacekeepers were injured in a separate explosion on Friday which the IDF has said it is investigating.