LAST UPDATE | 5 Dec 2025

IRISH TROOPS HAVE come under fire while on patrol near their base in South Lebanon, none of the peacekeepers were injured in the incident.

Members of the 127th Infantry Battalion were patrolling near the town of Bint Jbeil last night when they were approached by six men on mopeds. One of the men began shooting at the soldiers.

Defence Minister Helen McEntee has condemned the incident, saying that it constitutes a “direct and unacceptable breach” of the UN Security Council Resolution concerning a pause on violence.

“The Defence Forces have confirmed that a patrol from the 127 Infantry Battalion operating with UNIFIL was fired upon near Bint Jbeil,” McEntee said.

“I have been fully briefed by the Chief of Staff, and I want to commend the personnel involved for their professionalism in extremely challenging circumstances.”

McEntee added that Defence Forces personnel “continue to play a vital role in South Lebanon, and their commitment and conduct remain of the highest standard.”

Bint Jbeil is a well known stronghold for Hezbollah in South Lebanon, multiple sources believe that the men were likely linked to the militant group.

There are regular incidents in which Hezbollah combine with locals to block Irish troops in the area – in one such incident Private Seán Rooney was murdered during a blockade of a road by Hezbollah militants.

Mohammad Ayyad, a member of Hezbollah, was earlier this year convicted in absentia for the murder of Private Rooney by a Military Tribunal in Lebanon. The militant group has rejected responsibility for the murder.

The Journal has reported previously that there has been local disquiet towards the troops with a disinformation campaign blamed for provoking the reaction.  

In a statement the Irish Defence Forces, condemned the incident, and said its soldiers used their armoured vehicles to protect them.

“ Defence Forces personnel initiated immediate action drills and their actions and force protection measures as well as the armoured capabilities of the vehicles they were conducting the patrol in ensured the safety of all troops, who returned to UNP 2-45 following the patrol.

“All our personnel are well and accounted for, proving 127 Infantry Battalion’s readiness through their tactics, techniques and procedures, their pre-deployment training and their equipment. We will continue to enact the UNIFIL mandate by monitoring and reporting on the situation in Southern Lebanon and condemn any attacks on peacekeepers,” a Defence Forces spokesman said.

More than 300 Irish soldiers are serving as peacekeepers with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

In a separate statement a spokeswoman for UNIFIL in Naqoura, Lebanon said that there has been a number of incidents.

“Peacekeepers on patrol were approached by six men on three mopeds near Bint Jbeil, with one man firing approximately three shots into the back of the vehicle. No one was hurt.

“Attacks on peacekeepers are unacceptable and serious violations of resolution 1701. We remind the Lebanese authorities of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers, and demand a full and immediate investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the statement said. 

UNIFIL also said that its peacekeepers observed a series of Israeli airstrikes in our area of operations in south Lebanon, in the villages of Marounah, Majadel, and Baraashit.

This area has come under sustained air bombardment in recent months from Israeli forces.

“These actions are clear violations of Security Council resolution 1701. We urge the Israel Defense Forces to avail of the liaison and coordination mechanisms available to them. We caution Lebanese actors against any reaction that could aggravate the situation further,” the spokeswoman said.  

The UN Security Council has voted to wind up the near 50 year UNIFIL mission after lobbying from Israel pushed the United States to veto its renewal. The mission will end in 2027.

The 127th Infantry Battalion has only recently arrived in South lebanon – they are based in a number of locations monitoring the so-called Blue Line – which is a designated international frontier between Israel and Lebanon.