Israeli ground forces have been clashing with Hezbollah fighters in the area of southern Lebanon where Irish troops have responsibility for UN peacekeeping.
Arabic-language media reported this morning that Hezbollah sources had told it they were engaged in fighting with Israeli troops "that have penetrated the town of Maroun El-Ras."
The town is along the blue line - the defacto border between Israel and Lebanon - and approximately 5km from the main Irish base in Lebanon, Camp Shamrock.
Sources within the Irish Defence Forces confirmed to Prime Time that Israeli troops crossed the blue line into southern Lebanon in recent hours, passing within view of an outpost manned by Irish troops, and that fighting occurred in the town.
Irish UN troops maintain a large base, Camp Shamrock, and two outposts closer to the border. One outpost is near the town of Yaroun, and another along the border outside Maroun El-Ras, where fighting has occurred. 334 Irish troops are based in Camp Shamrock, with platoons of 35 rotating into the outposts regularly.
Maroun El-Ras was the site of a significant battle between Israeli forces and Hezbollah during the 2006 Lebanon war. It is located on a high point which overlooks the largest town in the Irish UNIFIL area, Bint Jbeil, beyond which Camp Shamrock is located.
In the hours prior to the reported clashes, the Israeli military extended a 'closed military zone' to several towns on the Israeli side of the blue line, declaring entry to the area strictly prohibited.
It follows calls issued by the IDF's Arabic language spokesperson on Tuesday for people living in named towns and villages along the border to "evacuate your homes immediately." Several of the towns listed are near Maroun El-Ras, and within the Irish UNIFIL zone.
In recent days, the increased tensions and intensity of rocket fire and military activity has severely limited patrolling by UNIFIL troops all along the blue line. At least five strikes have been confirmed in towns within the Irish UNIFIL zone.
That has meant Irish soldiers have remained largely within the base and outposts, and not undertaken observation patrols or other activities.
Asked about the reports of clashes in Maroun El-Ras, an Irish Defence Forces spokesperson said "all force protection measures are in place and mitigation measures are being undertaken, our personnel are well-trained and experienced, and capable of handling an increase in volatility."
