Ireland has contributed troops to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon since 1978. There can be no more powerful testament to the State’s commitment to peacekeeping in the region than the lives of the 47 Irish soldiers who have died whilst on duty with Unifil.
Originally mandated to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli Forces from southern Lebanon in 1978, Unifil’s role has evolved over the decades. Its primary function is to monitor the cessation of hostilities and assist the government of Lebanon in asserting control over the region.
The escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hizbullah in recent weeks and the limited – for the moment – incursion by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) into southern Lebanon will raise questions about the viability of the Unifil mission and the case for Ireland’s continued participation.
Unifil is keeping the mission under active review, although it should be borne in mind that the current hostilities will end, and someone will have to oversee the peace.
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The priority for the Government is to ensure the safety of the 400 troops currently stationed in Lebanon. The immediate focus is the 30 soldiers stationed at camp 6-52 near Marun ar Ras close to the “blue line” border with Israel.
The IDF have created a firing position close to the outpost and there is a concern that the Irish base could come under fire during exchanges between the combatants.
The safety of the Irish troops is ultimately the responsibility of the Government and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, but in the first instance it rests with the command of Unifil. During previous escalations Unifil has withdrawn its troops when it takes the view they can no longer carry out their role.
As of Monday, Unifil had no plans to pull the Irish troops back from camp 6-52 which can only send a positive signal to the local community caught up in the conflict. The Defence Forces said its personnel in Lebanon were committed to their mission.
According to a Unifil spokesman the IDF has asked it to move from certain positions including Camp 6-52. The Israeli Embassy in Dublin described it as a request for “their own protection and safety.”
In a weekend intervention, President Michael D Higgins – citing his constitutional role as supreme commander of the Defence Forces – described as outrageous what he characterised as the threat by the IDF aimed at getting Irish troops to “evacuate the villages they are defending”. Unifil says it has not received threats but a spokesman said that the events were “deeply concerning”. Public commentary needs to be careful and considered in what is clearly a volatile and dangerous situation.