By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA
Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon are safe, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said, after Israel launched a wave of air strikes across the southern part of the country.
In an escalation of tensions in the region on Sunday, Hezbollah said it launched hundreds of rockets and drones to avenge the killing of one of its top commanders last month.
The heavy exchange of fire threatened to trigger an all-out war that could draw in the United States, Iran and militant groups across the region.
Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister Micheál Martin, said he had been briefed by the Irish army’s chief of staff Seán Clancy.
He was told that the Irish peacekeepers in the region had sheltered in bunkers overnight and are safe.
The Tánaiste called for an “immediate de-escalation” of hostilities from all sides.
“I have been briefed by the Chief of Staff on the situation in Lebanon following the strikes between Hezbollah and Israel overnight,” Mr Martin said.
“I have been advised that while Irish personnel serving in Unifil have taken shelter in secured bunkers overnight, all are safe and accounted for.
“The Defence Forces and Unifil HQ continue to monitor the situation closely and the Chief of Staff will continue to update me accordingly.
“It is imperative that we see the immediate de-escalation of military hostilities by all parties.”
There are 332 Irish members of the 124th battalion, which also includes several Maltese, Polish and Hungarian personnel.
The battalion began its six-month deployment to Lebanon in May as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil).
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