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Two soldiers watch as a car passes by them in Lebanon

Harris seeks EU support for Lebanon army training mission

The Tánaiste is to propose a new initiative to support southern Lebanon, which could see EU countries work together in the coming months to train, equip and build up the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Middle East • 29 Aug

UNIFIL vehicles in transit after an Israeli airstrike in Hiyam

The troubled history of Irish involvement in Lebanon

Ireland's relationship with Lebanon goes back as far as 1958, when a team of 50 officers was deployed there.

Analysis and Comment • 28 Aug

Ireland's participation in UNIFIL dates back to 1978

UNSC votes for Lebanon peacekeepers to leave in 2027

The UN Security Council has adopted a compromise resolution on the withdrawal of UNIFIL peacekeeping forces from southern Lebanon.

Middle East • 28 Aug

One of the armoured vehicles of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon peacekeepers patrols in the Buwayda region of Marjayoun in southern Lebanon

US to back extending UN peacekeeping mandate in Lebanon

US envoy Tom Barrack has said that his country would approve the extension of United Nations peacekeepers' mandate in Lebanon for one more year.

World • 26 Aug

UN Security Council vote on Lebanon peacekeepers delayed

An expected UNSC vote on the future of the blue helmet peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon, which has faced US and Israeli opposition, has been pushed back as negotiations continue.

World • 26 Aug

Man sentenced to death over killing of Seán Rooney

A man has been sentenced to death in Lebanon after he was convicted for his part in the killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney, who was shot dead while serving in the region in December 2022.

Ireland • 29 Jul

A UNIFIL convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun last year (file image)

Govt concerned UNIFIL's Lebanon mandate won't be renewed

There is mounting concern in Government that the United Nation's peacekeeping operation in southern Lebanon may not have its mandate renewed in August.

Middle East • 21 Jun

The incident occurred near Yaroun, and involved a joint Irish UNIFIL and Lebanese Armed Forces patrol (File image)

Tánaiste briefed on peacekeepers incident in Lebanon

Up to 30 shots were fired near a joint Irish-Lebanese unit by Israeli Defence Forces during an incident near the buffer zone blue line in south Lebanon, according to a briefing given to Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris.

Middle East • 30 May

The incident happened near Yaroun, and involved a joint Irish UNIFIL and Lebanese Armed Forces patrol (file image)

UNIFIL to convey Irish Govt anger to Israel over shooting

The Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is expected to convey the Government's anger and concern at the shooting incident involving Irish peacekeepers directly to the Israel Defence Forces.

Ireland • 29 May

(L-R) Airwoman Ruth Byrne and her father, Flight Sergeant Luke Byrne, are deploying to Lebanon

Father, daughter among Irish troops deploying to Lebanon

A father and daughter are among the next group of Irish soldiers who will deploy on the UNIFIL mission in south Lebanon.

Ireland • 17 Apr

A man walks near a destroyed building in nuseirat refugee camp in Deir al-Balah

Hamas rejects interim Gaza deal, calls for full package

Hamas wants a comprehensive deal to end the war in Gaza and swap all Israeli hostages for Palestinians jailed in Israel, a senior official from the Palestinian militant group said, rejecting Israel's offer of an interim truce.

Middle East • 18 Apr

The aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on a house in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza

UN agencies seek immediate resumption of Gaza ceasefire

Six United Nations' agencies have called for an urgent renewal of the ceasefire in Gaza, saying there is an "utter disregard for human life" in the territory.

Middle East • 07 Apr

The Israeli strike damaged a building in southern Beirut

Three killed, seven injured in Israeli strike on Beirut

At least three people were killed and seven wounded in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs early today, the Lebanese health ministry said, further testing a shaky four-month ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Middle East • 01 Apr

There are 339 Irish Defence Force members currently stationed in south Lebanon with UNIFIL

Defence Forces - Lebanon's sovereignty 'in their hands'

Groundhog! Groundhog! Groundhog! When Irish peacekeepers hear those words, they know what to do: sprint to the nearest bunker and hunker down.

Analysis and Comment • 31 Mar

Irish peacekeepers pictured during the visit of Tánaiste Simon Harris to 'Camp Shamrock'

Stepping into adversity in southern Lebanon

The Officer Commanding the 125th Battalion in Lebanon believes his soldiers' hard graft will pay off, as they assist the Lebanese put some order on their lives, writes Paul Cunningham.

World • 27 Mar

Chief of Defence forces Lt General Sean Clancy with Tánaiste Simon Harris

Lebanese govt taking Rooney case seriously - Tánaiste

Tánaiste Simon Harris has said his visit to Irish troops in south Lebanon was an opportunity to say "thank you" to the peacekeepers who found themselves in "a very very difficult situation" in recent months as war ripped through the region.

Politics • 26 Mar

Damage caused to a building after an Israeli strike that targeted the southern Lebanese city of Tyre

Israel launches more strikes on Lebanon after rocket fire

An Israeli drone targeted a car in a southern Lebanese town, state media reported, a day after the most intense escalation since a November ceasefire.

Middle East • 23 Mar

Smoke billows from the site of Israeli artillery shelling that targeted the area of the southern Lebanese village of Yohmor

Israel strikes Lebanon after cross-border rocket fire

Israeli airstrikes hit south Lebanon this morning after Israel said it had intercepted rockets fired from across the border, endangering a shaky truce that ended a year-long war between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

World • 22 Mar

A vehicle targeted by an Israeli airstrike yesterday is seen in the town of Borj El Mlouk in southern Lebanon

Israel launches strikes after gunfire from Lebanon

Israel's defence minister has claimed the military responded to stray gunfire from Lebanon, after Lebanese state media and the health ministry reported four deaths in Israeli strikes on the south.

Middle East • 16 Mar

The coffin of Hassan Nasrallah is brought out during the funeral ceremony at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium

Thousands vow support for Hezbollah at Nasrallah funeral

Tens of thousands of mourners dressed in black vowed support for Hezbollah at the Beirut funeral of slain leader Hassan Nasrallah Sunday, after the group was dealt major blows in its last round of hostilities with Israel.

World • 23 Feb

People inspect their destroyed homes in the southern Lebanese village of Adaisseh after the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops

Lebanon pushes for full Israeli withdrawal after deadline

Lebanese leaders said they were in contact with the US and France to press Israel to fully withdraw from south Lebanon, branding its presence in five areas an "occupation" after a ceasefire deadline expired.

Middle East • 18 Feb

Private Seán Rooney suffered fatal gunshot wounds after his UN convoy was attacked by armed militia linked to Hezbollah

Trial over killing of Seán Rooney postponed to September

The trial of those indicted of killing Private Seán Rooney, who was shot dead while on peacekeeping duties in southern Lebanon, has been postponed again - this time until 17 September.

Ireland • 12 Feb

Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike in the Bekaa Valley last November

Israel struck 'multiple' Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

Israel's military said it struck "multiple" Hezbollah targets in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, two months into a fragile ceasefire with the Lebanese group after major hostilities last year.

Middle East • 31 Jan

An Israeli soldier opens a gate at the border with northern Gaza

110 Palestinians to be freed in latest truce exchange

A Palestinian prisoners advocacy group has said Israeli authorities would release 110 prisoners, including 30 minors, tomorrow as part of an exchange under a Gaza ceasefire deal agreed with Hamas.

Middle East • 29 Jan

Displaced residents lift a Lebanese flag as they sit on the rubble of their home in their southern Lebanese village of Yarin

Israeli troops kill 22 people returning to south Lebanon

Israeli troops killed 22 people in south Lebanon as a deadline for their withdrawal passed and thousands of people tried to return to their homes in defiance of an Israeli military demand, Lebanese authorities said.

World • 26 Jan