LAST UPDATE | 3 Oct 2025

AN ISRAELI MILITARY drone dropped grenades near to Irish peacekeepers who were protecting civilians clearing rubble close to an Irish base in south Lebanon.

The incident, which happened yesterday, involved Israeli Defence Forces launched munitions at a location in Maroun ar-Ras which is a short distance from Irish soldiers based at outpost UNP6-52.

6-52 was besieged for a time during the recent Hezbollah/Israel war.

The main Irish base, Camp Shamrock or UNP 2-45, near At Tiri is a short few kilometres away.

Irish troops and other soldiers from partner forces have been assisting in the recovery and search operations for bodies in bombed out buildings across South Lebanon. As has been reported by The Journal Maroun ar Ras has been devastated by Israeli bombing. 

A UNIFIL statement said the incident happened as UNIFIL soldiers were assisting Lebanese Armed Forces and civilians as they cleared debris from destroyed homes. 

“Yesterday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dropped grenades near peacekeepers working alongside Lebanese soldiers to provide security for civilian workers in Maroun ar-Ras. The workers were trying to clear the ruins of homes destroyed due to the war.

“Around 11:30 am, peacekeepers at two different sites heard a grenade explode near an excavator, about 500 metres away from them.

“Moments later, the first group saw a drone fly overhead and witnessed an explosion about 30-40 metres away. About 20 minutes after that, the second group saw another drone drop a grenade that exploded just 20 metres over their heads,” he said. 

UNIFIL said that they had informed the IDF about the activity in advance. They said that they contacted the Israeli forces and “immediately demanded that the firing stop”.

No one was injured in the incident and the works were able to continue.

“Attacks on peacekeepers or interference with their mandated tasks shows disregard for the safety and security of UNIFIL peacekeepers and the Lebanese army, and the stability they are working to restore in south Lebanon. Such actions also constitute a serious violation of Security Council resolution 1701.

“We call on the IDF to cease attacks on or near peacekeepers, civilians, and Lebanese soldiers and allow us to carry out our mandated tasks without obstruction,” UNIFIL stated. 

Irish Defence Forces in a statement said: “The Defence Forces can confirm that all Irish personnel deployed to Lebanon are well and accounted for. All necessary force protection measures continue to be observed.

“The Defence Forces can confirm that an incident in the vicinity of Maroun ar-Ras involved members of the 126th Infantry Battalion in the IRISHPOLBATT Area of Operations (AO). There have been no injuries to IRISHPOLBATT personnel.

Our soldiers continue to operate effectively, fulfil their mandate and are committed to their important role to provide stability and act as an independent observer in the region.”

IRISHPOLBATT denotes that Ireland serves in a Batallion with Polish troops. 

UNIFIL will end in 2027 after a vote at the United Nations Security Council – the vote occured due to Israeli lobbying of the United States to veto the renewal of the mission’s mandate.