The Irish Mirror has confirmed that Israel wanted our UNIFIL peacekeepers out of the UNP 6-52 – right on the border between Lebanon and the Jewish State, but the request was rebuffed
Irish United Nations peacekeepers aren’t budging from an isolated border outpost in war-ravaged south Lebanon - despite a request from Israel for them to evacuate.
The Israelis wanted the outposts evacuated as they were close to intense fighting that has been raging since the Israeli mini invasion on Monday.The Polish Army, who work alongside the Irish, man UNP6-50, 5kms to the south west – but neither of them or any of more than 30 outposts along the Blue Line will be evacuated, UNIFIL insisted.
UNP6-52 is close to the fighting and around 1km from the Lebanese town of Maroun El-Ras where around 10 Israel soldiers were killed by Hezbollah fighters in an ambush on Tuesday. A Defence Forces statement last night said it was in regular contact with the UNIFIL unit, as well as a small number officers in two other United Nations outfits in the area, UNTSO and UNDOF.
They got out on flights organised by the Netherlands and Canada. More than 100 other Irish citizens are still in the country and are choosing to stay.He said: “I am pleased to announce that two groups of Irish citizens were assisted to depart Lebanon today. "This close cooperation meant that Irish citizens, along with others from a number of countries, were able to depart Lebanon today. This is an excellent example of the importance of international cooperation."
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Taoiseach: Plans in place 'for all contingencies' with Irish troops in LebanonHundreds of Irish troops are serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) along the border with Israel
Read more »
Irish family trapped in Lebanon: 'The warzone is following us into Beirut'Ghadir Zabad - along with her father, mother and brother - went over to Lebanon from Kilkenny for a family funeral
Read more »
The Irish Times view on Israel and Lebanon: a deadly escalationThe complete elimination of Hizbullah, a massive, well-armed group with strong roots in the Lebanese Muslim community, will prove an impossible and bloody task
Read more »
Full Israeli invasion of Lebanon could see Irish troops at heart of fightingCamp Shamrock is less than 30 minutes’ drive from Lebanon’s southern border
Read more »
Irish troops in Lebanon: How many are there and are they at risk?If an Israeli invasion pushed north up to the Litani river, Irish troops would be caught in the centre of fighting
Read more »
Taoiseach speaks of his concerns for Irish peacekeepers in LebanonMr Harris made the call for peace after a phone call to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Tuesday to discuss the deteriorating situation in the south of the country, where some 380 Irish soldiers are part of the United Nations’ UNIFIL peacekeeping...
Read more »