LAST UPDATE | 13 Jan

AN ISRAELI TANK has fired shells close to Spanish peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon and mortar illumination rounds were fired near Polish troops, the United Nations has confirmed. 

The incident happened yesterday according to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The incident has been strongly condemned by the Spanish Government which called out Israel’s activity as a “serious escalation”. 

The Journal has confirmed that no Irish troops were involved in the incident. 

It is understood there was a second incident last night, in which a mortar fired illumination round, dropped on top of Polish troops located at an outpost near Irish positions at UNP 6-52 and the main base at UNP 2-45 which also known as Camp Shamrock.  

UNIFIL has confirmed that this happened near the town of Yaroun, a heavily bomb damaged village. The United Nations asked the Israel to stop firing. The rounds fell without any injuries or damage near the outpost’s main gate and helicopter pad.  

In a detailed statement about the tank issue UNIFL outlined that an Israeli Merkava tank fired a number of shells from its main gun towards the peacekeepers – these rounds fell as close as 150 metres. 

There has been a number of previous incidents in which Israel has either fired close to or at peacekeepers. Irish troops have been subject of so-called “containing shots” by Israeli troops. The Irish also had a recent incident in which shots were fired at a convoy near Bint Jbeil by suspected Hezbollah militants. 

It is understood French troops have also downed an Israeli drone.

UNIFIL said today’s incident happened near Sarda inside Lebanese territory after peacekeepers spotted the Israeli forces and requested “through liaison channels that the tanks stop their activity”.

“Some time later, one of the tanks fired three shells from its main gun, with two impacts approximately 150 meters away from the peacekeepers.

“As the peacekeepers moved away for safety, they were continuously tracked with a laser from the tanks. The tanks left about half an hour later. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

“UNIFIL had informed the IDF about the activities in those areas in advance, following usual practice for patrols in sensitive areas near the Blue Line,” the statement said. 

UNIFIL has said that attacks on “identifiable peacekeepers” carrying out their role under the UN mandate 1701 were “becoming disturbingly common” and is a violation of the agreement.

“We again remind the IDF of its obligation to ensure the safety of peacekeepers and to cease attacks on them. This aggression undermines resolution 1701 and the stability that peacekeepers and the parties are working to secure,” the UN statement added. 

The Spanish Government launched a stinging rebuke of Israel’s actions. 

“The Spanish Government reiterates its firm condemnation of the continuous and unacceptable Israeli attacks on UNIFIL positions, the latest of which once again threatened the physical integrity of the Spanish contingent, in a series of actions that represent a serious escalation against UNIFIL personnel and infrastructure.

“The Spanish Government urges Israel to respect the peacekeeping forces and to comply with its obligations under international law and with the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024.

“Spain reiterates its commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability of Lebanon and to full compliance with Security Council Resolution 1701, reaffirming its support for the mandate of UNIFIL,the work of which is essential to the achievement of these objectives,” the Government statement said. 

Last year Israel succeeded in convincing the United States to back a plan in the UN Security Council to end the UNIFIL mission by the end of 2027.

Helen McEntee, Minister for Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade, speaking in Egypt to The Journal today, said there has been a clear escalation in Israeli incidents against UNIFIL troops. 

She said she will visit the region at Easter to determine the needs of troops as they begin their withdrawal processes. McEntee said it was important to “support the troops” as they reduce their footprint in Lebanon.

It is understood the Irish have not yet reduce troop numbers but there will likely be a reduction later this year.

“Where an incident like this happens, there’s clear communication with the [UN] Director General to highlight this and we need the Lebanese Government to be calling this out.

“We need to make sure that where the IDF are involved, that they are called out as well. Obviously, that is the situation that’s happened here,” she said. 

With reporting from Eimer McAuley in Egypt.