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TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has condemned a “reckless strike” on a United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) base in southern Lebanon that has left two Ghanaian peacekeepers critically injured.
No Irish troops were injured in the incident.
In a statement, Ghana’s armed forces said the Ghanaian battalion headquarters in Lebanon came under two missile attacks between 5.45pm and 5.52pm local time (3.45pm and 3.52pm Irish time).
The armed forces said it “a fallout” from the current ongoing exchanges of fire between the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The war began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran last Saturday.
“Two soldiers are critically injured, while one other has been traumatised,” the statement said. The injured are being treated at a medical bunker and are currently stable, it added.
GHANA BATTALION POSITION IN SOUTHERN LEBANON COMES UNDER MISSILE ATTACK pic.twitter.com/TrWFYvj4pX
— Ghana Armed Forces (@GhArmedForces) March 6, 2026
“Additionally, the officers’ mess facility also got hit and has been burnt down completely.”
It’s understood Irish UNIFIL troops provided firefighting assistance and medical help at the scene, and that the helipad at Camp Shamrock – which is 4km away from the Ghanaian camp – was used to transfer injured personnel.
There are more than 300 Irish troops based in southern Lebanon at a number of locations with UNIFIL.
An investigation is understood to be underway to determine whether Israel’s defence forces fired the shots.
In a statement, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned “Israeli attacks on Lebanon”, adding that they had “even reached the point of a direct assault on UNIFIL”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin also condemned the “reckless strike”.
“The role of peacekeepers is sacrosanct, and all should go above and beyond to prevent them from coming into harm’s way,” he said.
I would like to pay tribute to the courage, resilience and professionalism of the Irish peacekeepers who came to the aid of their Ghanaian colleagues today.
“I have been briefed on the latest situation, and all Irish personnel serving in Lebanon remain safe and accounted for.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee called the attack “unacceptable”.
“I condemn Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel in support of its Iranian sponsor. As well as menacing civilian communities in northern Israel, this has again endangered Lebanon,” she said.
“I also condemn the disproportionate Israeli response, including aerial bombardment, the launch of ground operations and the demand to evacuate civilian populations in southern Lebanon and southern Beirut.”
She said hostilities this week “have set back fragile progress made in Lebanon in the past year, including towards the disarmament of Hezbollah” and said the Lebanese government and armed forces “need time to take full control of and manage the security of their country”.
“Ireland is committed to supporting the people of Lebanon. Together with our EU partners, we are determined to assist Lebanon in its recovery and rebuilding. The long-suffering people of Lebanon must be given an opportunity to have peace.”
In a statement, the Defence Forces confirmed that all Irish personnel deployed in the south of the country are well and accounted for.
Óglaigh na hÉireann can confirm that all Irish personnel deployed in Southern Lebanon are well and accounted for. Irish troops and bases were not targeted in the attack today on UNIFIL personnel. All necessary force protection measures continue be to observed. We condemn any… pic.twitter.com/5LaJAXOXi2
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) March 6, 2026
“Irish troops and bases were not targeted in the attack today on UNIFIL personnel. All necessary force protection measures continue to be observed,” the statement said.
“We condemn any attack on UNIFIL personnel and remind all parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers.”
A spokesperson added that Irish Defence Forces personnel are providing both Casualty Evacuation and Fire Fighting assistance.
“All necessary force protection measures continue to be observed and all Irish personnel are well and accounted for.”
UNIFIL has acted as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon for decades and was assisting the Lebanese army while it was dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure near the Israeli border after the last war opposing the Iran-backed group and Israel in 2024.
It plans to withdraw all troops from Lebanon by mid-2027.
Irish soldiers reported small arms fire and some shelling after Israeli troops launched an incursion earlier this week.
It is understood that the incursion did not include the Irish Area of Operations, located near the towns of At Tiri and Bint Jbeil, but most of the movement was in and around positions to the east.
The neighbouring battalion from Ghana also saw some IDF activity during the incursion.
The IDF has confirmed it is occupying positions in the area.
The Irish have witnessed shelling and some airstrikes in recent days as Israel struck alleged Hezbollah positions and arms dumps in the South. Sources have said the move is thought to be the IDF “cleaning up” a buffer zone.
Israeli air strikes battered Lebanon today, sending the death toll since Monday to at least 217.
The Israeli military renewed its strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs this afternoon, Lebanese state media reported, following night raids that left heavy damage in the area after residents fled en masse in response to Israeli evacuation warnings.
Israel says it has killed “over 70″ members of Hezbollah.
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