With deep regret and sadness, Ireland’s defense minister, Simon Coveney, reported the death of an Irish soldier taking part in the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission on Thursday.
The events unfolded after a hostile crowd surrounded two armored vehicles carrying the soldiers Wednesday night in Sarafand.
According to Coveney, the Irish peacekeepers had been making a run from the south of Lebanon to Beirut “when one of the armored vehicles was surrounded by a hostile mob.”
Unfortunately, one soldier was killed during the attack, and another was left critically injured.
Mustering strength amid this tragedy, Coveney expressed his thanks for the dedication and professionalism of all personnel serving overseas on behalf of Ireland.
The convoy of eight UNIFIL personnel, which was traveling to Beirut, was ambushed on Wednesday evening.
During the incident, two of the members suffered fatal injuries while another remains in critical condition in an UN-managed hospital.
The other four personnel were not injured. UNIFIL has stated they are now coordinating with the Lebanese armed forces and launching an investigation into the ambush.
This ambush was certainly not anticipated as the tension between Hezbollah forces, and UNIFIL had only been present in recent months.
The United Nations is still attempting to piece together the puzzle surrounding an incident that occurred in Sarafand on Sunday evening.
Some sources have said that the vehicle in question had taken a wrong turn and veered off of the main highway.
The peaceful atmosphere in the area was disturbed when a crowd gathered just after a World Cup match had finished.
Depending on who is asked, they may suggest that UN peacekeepers were trying to leave the area and either hit somebody or were met with gunfire from local people, resulting in an overturned vehicle.
With conflicting details still coming in, questions remain concerning just what happened on Sunday night in Sarafand.
Protests erupted in southern Lebanon yesterday after a UNIFIL peacekeeper was killed and two others injured when a gunman opened fire on their convoy.
While it has yet to be determined whether the attack was deliberate or accidental, UNIFIL forces have recently been subject to minor incidents and skirmishes in the area.
In response to the tragic news, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has expressed his deep regret and urged all parties involved to act with wisdom and patience. In contrast, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his sadness at the death of the peacekeeper.
All eyes will now be on authorities as the investigation into the incident begins.
Following the attack on a peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, government officials and international organizations have joined together in condemning the violent event.
The US embassy released a statement expressing their repudiation of violence against peacekeepers, acknowledging that such an attack puts Lebanese civilians at risk and jeopardizes stability in the region.
In addition, the United States has called for an “urgent investigation” to determine the facts related to the incident, with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar joining this call and urging authorities to investigate swiftly.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese army has extended condolences, while Hezbollah has denied any involvement in what they termed an “unintentional incident.”
No matter who or what is responsible for this attack, it is clear that swift action is needed from relevant authorities to establish accountability and protect citizens from further acts of violence.
Wafiq Safa, the leader of a Lebanese political party, expressed his condolences for the unintentional incident that led to the death of an Irish peacekeeper in Lebanon.
He urged that his party should not be implicated in any way with the incident.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Foreign Minister, Simon Coveney, met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss the tragedy.
The Irish Peacekeepers have been stationed in Lebanon since 1978 and mark it as the first time an Irish casualty has occurred in 20 years.
Prime Minister Micheál Martin addressed reporters, expressing shock and profound sadness for this event as a reminder of the extraordinary courage and commitment our peacekeepers can constantly make there.
