4th of December 2025: Irish Defence Forces personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) came under small‑arms fire on Thursday evening during a routine patrol, the Defence Forces confirmed.
The incident occurred at approximately 18:30 local time, when a patrol from the 127 Infantry Battalion was targeted while operating near UN positions in southern Lebanon. According to officials, the troops immediately executed standard action drills, using established force‑protection measures and the armoured capabilities of their vehicles to safeguard the patrol.
All personnel returned safely to UN Position 2‑45, with no injuries reported. Defence Forces leadership said the response demonstrated the battalion’s high level of readiness, crediting pre‑deployment training, tactics and procedures, and specialised equipment for ensuring troop safety.
The Defence Forces reiterated Ireland’s commitment to the UNIFIL mandate, which includes monitoring and reporting on security developments along the Blue Line. They also condemned any attacks on peacekeepers, stressing that such actions undermine stability in a region already marked by heightened tensions.
Irish troops have served in Lebanon for decades, and the latest incident underscores the volatile environment in which UN peacekeepers continue to operate.
